19th September 2015

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SATURDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER, 2015

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Bailout: Govs being

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monitored —CBN

I won’t divert the money —Fayose

I’m not sure I like being famous

—Etomi Adesua

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We’re set to arrest Saraki —Police

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Tribunal orders police to produce him for trial on Monday

I’ll protect my rights, Tribunal Chair not a judge —Saraki

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His sack planned for Sept 30

Evolution of Hajj from 1880 - 2015

1880

1920

PHOTOS: www.salaam.co.uk/hajj/mainstages

2015

DSS launches search for missing operatives Believes they are still alive Manhunt for vandals intensified

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19 September, 2015

Saturday Tribune

klieglight Nollywood actress Etomi Adesua began her acting career in 2013 in Emem Isong’s Knocking on Heaven’s Door. She has become one of Nollywood’s promising young actresses, having starred in over ten movies and TV series. Born in Owerri, Imo State, the Edo State actress who has lived in the United Kingdom for the most part of her life, tells NEWTON-RAY UKWUOMA about her journey back to Nigeria, her career, among other things.

God asked me to leave UK to join Nollywood —Etomi Adesua

Y

OU were working in the UK, how did you get into the movie industry in Nigeria?

I got restless on a particular day, so I quit my job and came to Nigeria. I thought I would be here for only three months. I actually had a return ticket.

While in Nigeria, I learnt of an audition for Emem Isong’s ‘Knocking on Heaven’s Door’. I went. I was given a job afterwards. My first job brought my second job and it’s been from one job to another since then, from three months to three years. It would be three years in October. And looking back now, I would say, perhaps, I was led – like God asked me to return to Nigeria.

You once said you had to convince your mom to give her blessing, how difficult was that?

I spent two years studying Performing Arts, Musical Theatre and Physical Theatre at City College in Coventry, England. But I knew I wanted to do drama and performance.

So, I had a bit of personal struggle telling my parents that I wanted to change course. My mom gave me her full support when I told her. It was my dad I had to convince. But the moment I graduated with a first class and a Foresight Theatre award in Drama and Performance from the University of Wolverhampton, he became very supportive of my acting career. I guess it is understandable. The industry is not easy. It is either you are built for it or not. If it is not meant to be God’s plan for your life, you would hardly succeed in it.

Since then you have done over ten movies, was it easy penetrating the industry?

It wasn’t easy at all. There were lots of challenges. Initially, when you come in as a new face, the biggest challenge would be acceptance. You know, people don’t know you. They haven’t seen anything you have done. All they have is your word. I would say that the readiness to use new faces has only become better over the years. It wasn’t so few years ago. Nevertheless, when you finally get your first job, getting more jobs becomes another challenge as a new comer. And when you start gaining recognition, getting good pay becomes a challenge. When you start getting paid, you also face the challenge of being typecast: everybody wanting you play same role for every movie.

What would you say about typecasting now?

Personally, I have come to accept it. It is a bit of a blessing in disguise: you get more work, you become more visible, you get more pay, and it is easy because you are used to it. I have come to embrace it. But I am first of all an actor before anything else. I need an opportunity to be versatile.

What do you have to say about theatre and film?

Theatre is practically the same thing everywhere you go. I would probably say it is more intensive in the UK than here.

They rehearse longer than we do here. You start rehearsing for a June show in May in Nigeria, while in the UK you would probably start in December. Everything is intense. In terms

Theatre is practically the same thing everywhere you go. I would probably say it is more intensive in the UK than here.

They rehearse longer than we do here. You start rehearsing for a June show in May in Nigeria, while in the UK you would probably start in December.

of film, I used to think film was a piece of cake since I majored in theatre, but I was wrong. I currently have great respect for people that stand before the camera. It is not easy to have something in your face and act like it is not there. It is not easy getting into character, while people are watching from behind the camera. On stage, the audience is not so much in your face as the camera and the crew are on set. On set, everyone is watching you from behind, the sound man, the DOP, the director, make-up. It is really not an easy environment to be in character. However, acting and theatre require discipline, a lot of hard work. My take after seeing both sides is not to judge actors as I used to. I rather encourage them because I know acting is hard.

Do you have people you admire the way they act in the industry?

I have so many. I love RMD. I have loved his acting since I was 10. Even at that age, I could spot the people that love their craft and pay attention to their work. Till today, I am a huge fan of RMD. I love Rita Dominic because I have seen her evolve over the years. I love Kate Henshaw because she puts her mind, body and soul into every role she plays. With these people it is always about the job. They never feel that they are bigger than acting; they rather see it as acting being bigger than them. They pay attention to detail. They really work hard. Bimbo Akintola is another amazing actress. All she has to do is to breathe.

I love Kalu Ikeagwu as well. I think he is so awesome. Every time I watch him, I seem to believe everything he says. That is what acting really is. Blossom Chukwujekwu is freaking awesome. I don’t know if I have left anyone out. But these are some of the people whose professionalism has made me appreciate Nollywood.

Are there roles you can’t play as an actor?

Yes. There are certain roles I would not take. For instance, I would play sex roles and I wouldn’t do naked Continues on pg30

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19 September, 2015

We’re set to arrest Saraki —Police

Saturday Tribune

•Tribunal asks police to bring him on Monday •I’ll protect my rights —Senate president From Chris Agbambu, Clement Idoko, and Sunday Ejike - Abuja

T

HE Nigeria Police has stated that it will arrest Senate president Bukola Saraki as ordered by the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Friday.

Force Public Relations Officer, Mrs Olabisi Kolawole, told Saturday Tribune on telephone at 5pm on Friday that police operatives would arrest the Senate president as soon as they receive the order of the tribunal.

The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), sitting in Abuja on Friday, had issued a bench warrant of arrest on the Senate President, who is facing a 13-count charge preferred against him by the Federal Government.

Saraki has, however, appealed the ruling praying the Appeal Court to set the arrest order aside. He was in his official residence at the time of going to press last night.

The Senate President was charged before the tribunal over allegations bordering on false and improper declaration of assets allegedly acquired during his tenure as governor of Kwara State from 2003-2011.

Justice Danlami Umar, who is the chairman of the tribunal, in a ruling during the hearing of the matter on Friday also ordered the Inspector General of Police to arrest Saraki and produce him before the tribunal on Monday to take his plea in the 13-count charge slammed against him.

The Federal Government had on September 11, filed a 13-count charge against Saraki before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, which fixed Friday for his arraignment.

However, in a bid to stop his arraignment, Saraki, on Thursday, approached the Federal High Court in Abuja with a motion ex-parte seeking to restrain the Federal Government, Code of Conduct Bureau and tribunal from arraigning him.

The trial judge at the high court, Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed, in a ruling in chambers summoned the chairmen of CCB, CCT and a Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Musiliu S. Hassan, to appear before him on Monday to show cause why Saraki’s request should not be granted.

When the matter came up on Friday before the tribunal, Saraki was represented by Joseph.B Daudu and Mahmud Magaji, both Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).

Prosecution counsel, Musiliu Hassan noted that the accused was not in court to take his plea in the criminal charges preferred against him, despite the fact that he was served with

the summons and prayed the tribunal to issue a bench warrant of arrest on him (Saraki) for disobedience of court orders.

Opposing the application, Magaji submitted that the charge, as well as the prosecution lacked validity to come before the tribunal on the grounds that there is no incumbent Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

He further argued that there was a subsisting ruling of the Federal High Court which had summoned chairmen of CCB, CCT and Hassan.

The tribunal later stood down the matter for about three hours and the presiding judge, Justice Umar, in his ruling, held that the tribunal took notice of the fact that there is no AGF at the moment.

Umar further held that the absence of the AGF does not stop the filing of a criminal charge, adding that in the absence of the AGF, the Solicitor General can institute such a charge thus knocking off the accused’s argument.

On the issue of a susbsisting ruling, the tribunal held that the Federal High Court has the same jurisdiction with it, and hence, it is not bond by its ruling and the Judge held that the tribunal will go ahead with the trial.

The tribunal also noted that it was clear that the accused person had been served with the summons, as such was shown by the proof of service, adding that, “no court of co-ordinate jurisdiction can halt the proceedings of this tribunal.

“This tribunal called on the Senate President to come and stand his trial. The defendant is expected to respect the constitution he swore to uphold,” Justice Umar held and ordered the Inspector General of Police to produce the Senate President before him on Monday, being the next adjourned date, to take his plea.

In the charge, Saraki was alleged to have made false declaration in the Assets Declaration Form for Public Officers on assumption of office as the executive governor of Kwara State in 2003 by making anticipatory declaration of a property at No 15A and 15B McDonald, Ikoyi, Lagos, when in actual fact the property was sold to him in 2006 in the sum of N396, 150, 000 by the Implementation Committee on the Federal Government Landed Properties.

Saraki was said in the charge to have committed an offence under Section 15 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap. C15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and as incorporated under paragraphs 11(1) and (2) of Part I, Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and punishable under Section 23 (2) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and

Tribunal Act and as incorporated under paragraph 18 of Part I, Fifth Schedule to Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

Saraki was also alleged to have, between October 2006 and May 2007, while he was the governor of Kwara State, acquired a property from the Implementation Committee on the Federal Government Landed Properties after his declaration while assuming office in the sum of N497, 200, 000 million, a sum which is not fairly attributable to his income, gift or loan approved by the Code of Conduct for Public Officers and which he wrongly claimed to have acquired from proceeds of sale of rice and sugar commodities.

The offence is said to be punishable under Section 23 (2) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act and as incorporated under paragraph 18 of Part I, Fifth Schedule to Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

In addition, Saraki was alleged to have on 3rd June, 2011 made a false declaration in the Assets Declaration Form for Public Officers at the end of his tenure as governor of Kwara State in 2011 by refusing to declare Plot 2A, Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos which he acquired between 2007 and 2008 through his company, Carlisle Properties Limited from Central Bank of Nigeria, for a total sum of N325 million.

The offence is said be committed under Section 15 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap. C15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and as incorporated under paragraphs 11(1) and (2) of Part I, Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

The offence is said to be punishable under Section 23 (2) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and tribunal Act and as incorporated under paragraph 18 of Part I, Fifth Schedule to Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

Meanwhile,Saraki has, through his counsel, J. B Daudu, filed an appeal challenging the ruling of the tribunal which ordered the Inspector General of Police to arrest and bring him before the tribunal on Monday.

In his ground of appeal, Saraki submitted that the tribunal erred in law by assuming jurisdiction over his criminal trial at the tribunal for a charge, which is being challenged at the Federal High Court.

In his particulars of error, Saraki stated that at the time the lower Tribunal overruled his application to discharge the Order for Bench Warrant for his arrest by the respon-

dent, there existed an order of the Federal High Court which was served on the tribunal.

He further submitted that the appellant filed an application dated September 17 challenging the jurisdiction of the lower tribunal to adjudicate on the charge brought before it and submitted that it is trite that when an accused files an application challenging the jurisdiction of a court/tribunal to adjudicate on the charge brought before it, the accused need not be in court.

The appellant asked the court of appeal to set aside the arrest order.

I will protect my rights —Saraki

Meanwhile, Saraki, in a statement on Friday evening vowed to protect his fundamental human rights, even as he alleged that the tribunal was “acting under political influence and external influence.”

The statement, signed by the Senate president’s spokesman, Yusuph Olaniyonu with the title: “CCT Defiance of Subsisting Court Order : Our Stand”, reads: “Following the development in the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) today, Friday, September 18, 2015 when the Tribunal chose to ignore the subsisting order of a Federal High Court by sitting, we hereby state our position as follows: “While the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, had stated and maintains that he is ready to submit himself to due process of the law on any issue concerning him, he also believes he has an inalienable right to resort to the same judiciary for protection when he feels his fundamental rights are about to be infringed upon.

“It is for this reason that Dr.

Saraki, having satisfied himself that the case filed by the CCB and the manner in which the case was filed show that he will not be given justice, resorted to the Federal High Court for the determination of the issues of competence of the prosecutor as well as compliance with the procedure stipulated in the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act. “The Federal High Court on Thursday, September 17, 2015, therefore ordered that the all parties in the case should appear before it on Monday, September 21, 2015.

The implication of this ruling by a court of competent jurisdiction is that the sitting today has been overtaken by event.

It is for this reason that Dr. Saraki chose to go about with his normal official schedule.

“Today at the Tribunal, Counsel for the Senate President, Mr. M. A. Mahmud (SAN), raised a motion stating that there is a pending constitutional matter before the Federal High Court to be decided on Monday and that the Tribunal should hold the trial until the constitutional matter is disposed of.

“We are however dismayed that the Tribunal chose to disregard the order of the Federal High Court and the motion to suspend hearing till Monday when all parties are expected to argue their positions on the constitutional matter.

“It is also a surprise to us that despite the application by the lead counsel for the Senate President that he will produce Dr. Saraki on Monday and the personality of the person involved as the number three man in the country, the Tribunal insisted on issuing a warrant of arrest as if its intention is simply to embarrass Dr. Saraki. We are not unmindful of the fact that the

Tribunal is acting under political influence and external pressure. This is dangerous to our democracy.

“The conduct of the Tribunal today left nobody in doubt that it cannot do justice on the matter before it. It is also clear that today’s decision is an abuse of the rule of law which portends danger to our judicial system.

The Tribunal has equally set a bad precedent in the way and manner it conducted itself during the proceedings.

“We want to emphasise the fact that this is not part of any war against corruption but using state institutions to fight political opponents and seeking to achieve, through the backdoor, what some people cannot get through democratic process.

“We need to caution here that in a desperate bid to settle political scores and nail imaginary enemies, we should not destroy our democratic institutions and heat the polity for selfish reasons. Let us all learn from history.

“The Senate President is a law-abiding citizen and his absence from the Tribunal today was based on the legal advice he received from his counsel that the Tribunal will respect the decision of the Federal High Court which is obviously a superior court of records. Also, he relied on a letter from the Chief Justice of Nigeria, directed to the chairman of the Tribunal last May that they are not judicial officers and are inferior to the regular High Court as defined by the law and that they take official oath not judicial oath.

“We will like to state therefore that Dr. Saraki will not do anything to undermine the judicial process and authority but he will always act to protect his fundamental human rights.”

The battle plans against Saraki PDP backers under surveillance Senate president’s sack planned for Sept 30 Taiwo Adisa - Abuja and Lanre Adewole IF the plans of opponents of Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki sail through, a September deadline for his exit from office may be achieved.

If he pulls through the deadline as the Number Three Citizen, his opponents’ Plan B, is December.

By their permutations, only a return to political negotiating table, would see him as Senate president in the New Year.

Two different power blocs are buffeting him over the National Assembly leadership crisis.

The two forces, each from the South and the North, are aiming for same result for different reasons, Saturday Tribune learnt.

There are also multi-pronged

battle plans, outlined in two major broad patterns.

Saturday Tribune’s foray into Saraki’s opponents camp on Friday revealed a no-retreat design until the final objective is achieved.

The realisation that the opponents are without the requisite number to achieve his impeachment reportedly activated other plans which are already unfolding, though at infancy stage.

Shortly after President Muhammadu Buhari named his principal officers, including the Chief of Staff and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), a secret agenda was said to have been set to take firm control of all machinery of government, including the National Assembly.

One of the items on the

said agenda according to sources, was the decision to deal with Senate President Bukola Saraki by getting him out of the seat by the end of the third quarter of this year.

According to sources, a secret committee, including some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a governor from the North West as well as some persons seen as knowledgeable in the security services was put in place to work out the plan.

Sources said the plot turned out to have coincided with a similar plan by yet another leader of the party based in the south who had set out to work on the Saraki project since July.

The two plans, according to sources include digging up “dirty things” about the Continues pg4

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19 September, 2015

Saturday Tribune

The battle plans against Saraki Continued from pg3

An empty accused box during the proceedings at the Code of Conduct Tribunal following the absence of the Senate President Senator Bukola Saraki at the tribunal in Abuja, on Friday. PHOTO: BAYOOR EWUOSO

Bailout: We are monitoring govs —CBN

I won’t divert the money, Fayose assures Ekiti workers Gbola Subair - Abuja and Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disclosed that it is monitoring how governors who have collected bailout to pay their workers are applying the money.

The Director of Corporate Communications of the CBN, Ibrahim Muazu told the Saturday Tribune on Friday that the apex bank would not allow any governor to divert the funds for other uses apart from the payment of workers salaries.

There has been unease in some states where the governors did not commence immediate payment of the salaries after collecting the money.

A breakdown of the loans is as follows: Abia - N14.152bn; Adamawa - N2.378bn; Bauchi - N8.60bn; Bayelsa - N1.285bn; Benue - N28.013bn; Borno - N7.680bn; Cross River N7.856bn; Delta - N10.036bn; Ebonyi - N4.063bn; Edo N3.167bn; Ekiti - N9.604bn; Enugu - N4.207bn; Gombe N16.459bn; Imo - N26.806bn; Katsina - N3.304bn; Kebbi - N0.690bn; Kogi - N50.842bn; Kwara - N4.320bn; Nasarawa - N8.317bn; Niger - N4.306bn; Ogun - N20.0bn; Ondo N14.686bn; Osun - N34.988bn; Oyo - N26.606bn; Plateau N5.357bn; Sokoto - N10.093bn and Zamfara - N10.020bn.

“Right from the onset, the CBN has put in place a monitoring mechanism to prevent the diversion of the bailout funds. The money given out is not a block thing. It is designed for a specific purpose, which is for the payment of salaries.

The money is paid directly into the salary accounts (of the states). If a governor refuses to use the money for the designated purpose, the workers will resort to litigation, the CBN will hear this and we will take appropriate action,” he told Saturday Tribune.

On whether the CBN waived some of the conditions for the states to access the funds, particularly submission of

their respective State Executive Council resolutions when many of the states are yet to appoint commissioners, the CBN spokesman explained that the conditions were set to ensure the funds were not misappropriated.

“There is nothing like waiver. Is the government not in place? President Muhammadu Buhari is yet to appoint ministers, is the government not working? Once the permanent secretaries are in place, there is nothing serious. It is the same thing with the states, the whole essence of placing any form of barrier (conditionalities) is to ensure the safety of the funds. The money is to ameliorate the financial crunch in the state, so the issue of waiver does not come in,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, has distanced himself from the allegation that some state governors are planning to divert the bailout funds being given

to some states to offset arrears of unpaid salaries and pensions.

The governor said as a lover of workers and firm believer in the biblical injunction that a labourer is worth his wages, he will never contemplate punishing workers.

In a statement in Ado-Ekiti on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, the governor said the funds would be judiciously used for the purposes intended.

The governor spoke at a lecture organised as part of activities marking this year’s Civil Service Week.

Fayose, who explained to workers that the government had met all requirements for the fund, stated that he had yet to receive the fund, adding that the workers would be paid immediately the funds reach the government account.

He added that he would not pursue developmental projects at the detriment of the growth of workers’ “stomach infrastructure.”

“At the last meeting I held with all of you in this hall, you asked me to go ahead and get the bailout fund. I’ve gone ahead, I’ve signed. I am waiting for the money and as soon as the money comes, I will pay. I am not going to be among the governors that will divert the bailout. I want the stomach infrastructure inside you to grow,” Fayose said.

The governor said the various borrowings obtained by the previous administrations and the bailout fund would have impact on the income of the state when the deductions are made.

He, however, said that regardless of the impact that the borrowings would have on the state income, he would not mind making sacrifices that would ensure the comfort of the state workforce.

He reminded the workers that in spite of the lean purse of the state, he had been paying workers’ salaries regularly since he assumed office last October.

DSS begins search for 8 missing operatives Believes they are still alive Jacob Segun Olatunji - Abuja THE Department of State Service (DSS), in conjunction with other security forces, has begun a thorough search for the eight members of its operatives said to have been killed in a shootout with some vandals at the facility of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), located at Arepo, a suburb of Ogun State during the week.

A reliable source at the Service’s headquarters in Abuja told the Saturday Tribune on Friday that it was yet to believe that the operatives were actually killed and their bodies taken away.

The source told our reporter that for now, the Service is working on the theory that the operatives

were abducted for reasons best known to the vandals.

According to the source,”we are searching for the operatives as we speak, in conjunction with other sister security agencies, we don’t believe that they were actually killed with their bodies taken away just like that.”

“We are seeing it as a case of abduction, if on the other hand they were actually killed, we want to locate their bodies, nothing has shown us that their bodies were buried or dumped in the area. If they were given a mass burial or dumped somewhere, our search parties would have seen traces,” the Saturday Tribune source added.

The source, however, said that some suspects believed

to be informants to the oil thieves are already assisting the security agencies with a view to getting useful information that could lead to getting to the roots of the matter.

Two teams of the DSS were dispatched to Konu area of Arepo to stop the illegal activities of the vandals, but before their arrival, the vandals got wind of it and ambushed them during which there was a fierce gun battle between both sides.

It was gathered that at the end of the bloody operation, eight of the operatives were said to be missing while others reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds, leaving behind the operational patrol vehicles of the operatives.

Senate President and ensuring that such things influence the Senate to effect a change.

It was gathered that one of the factors delaying the release of the ministerial list is the continued presence of Saraki as Senate helmsman as some forces in the government are said to have decided that Saraki should not be allowed to screen the ministers.

Sources in the legislature said that plan to remove Saraki has now taken different dimensions, with both constitutional and security measures being lined up.

One of the sources said that the Senate President faces arrest and prolonged detention as a way of forcing the Senate to look elsewhere, while another step involves orchestrating charges bordering on alleged corrupt practices against him.

The source said that the forces against Saraki are actually looking at a two-way action. One is to use the planned detention to get him out of the way or force him to negotiate away his deputy while the other is to use the instrumentality of series of allegations that would be raised against him to weaken the resolve of senators to back his leadership.

“When there are avalanche of allegations against Saraki, the senators would be tailored to think that backing him would amount to obstructing the anti-corruption war of the government, thus his support base would wane,” a source said.

His support base was said to have been outlined into two broad parts; senators elected on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) mainly from the South and the party leadership on the one hand and some northern senators of APC hue and political bigwigs from the same North on the other hand.

Saturday Tribune learnt that persuasion is already on with northern APC senators to get them to withdraw their support for Saraki by casting him as an enemy of President Buhari for allowing PDP have a say in his administration through the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

Northern political leaders supporting Saraki are also reportedly being told that by striking a deal for a major office with PDP, which is now mainly dominated by southerners, Saraki wanted to derail the repositioning and rebirth of the North which Buhari’s administration was poised to achieve.

While persuasion was being employed in the North and APC, heavy security crackdown, according to findings, would be the weapon to dismantle PDP’s support for the embattled senate president.

PDP leading lights and outspoken senators are reportedly marked for heavy pounding using the security system, till they are battle-weary.

The raid on Akwa-Ibom Government House, according to findings, was reportedly targeted at sending strong signals.

A source told Saturday Tribune: “Let’s see how someone with dollars hidden in his home would return from treatment abroad and still be rallying support for another person when he himself would need support to go through his scandal”.

Senate Minority Leader and former Akwa-Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio, is thought to be the subject of the innuendo.

Saturday Tribune was told that the crackdown would not be without basis, with massive intelligence gathering being deployed to catch the PDP leaders at their weakest points, thereby making it easier to deal with them within the confines of the law and security.

It was learnt that this move has expectedly brought A-list PDP members under intense security surveillance, with corruption issues being targeted to break their resolve of sustained support for Saraki.

The Senate president is also reportedly listed for ceaseless anti-corruption battle until he gets to breaking point of succumbing to the party and allow its wish of picking other principal officers, or getting fired from the plum job.

One of those heckling him told Saturday Tribune last night that he had no choice but to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Monday or find himself in an embarrassing situation.

When reminded that the alleged offence at the Code of Conduct a tribunal was bailable, the source said other battles await him even if he is released on bail.

The rumour was also thick on Friday night that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) may take him in next week.

When Saturday Tribune checked with the Commission, there was no evidence of invitation yet.

A source, however, didn’t rule out his outright arrest.

Another plan is also allegedly afoot to effect a change of leadership while he is moved from one cell to the other over the four alleged corruption cases pending against him.

A top PDP notcher told Saturday Tribune that “hell will break loose in the nation if Ekweremadu isn’t allowed to function in Saraki’s absence.”

“They can do whatever they like with their Senate president. But the moment he is out, our person steps in. He is number two there. Those thinking Saraki’s exit would make way for another election are jokers,” the source said.

5 news

19 September, 2015

Saturday Tribune

Tension mounts as Itsekiris meet today Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri THERE is palpable anxiety in Warri, Delta State on Friday among the Itsekiri as they assemble today at their ancestral home, Ode-Itsekiri (Big Itsekiri), Warri South Local South Local Government Area for a meeting.

The gathering, however, has no clear agenda as gathered by Saturday Tribune.

But watchers are of the opinion that the actual situation surrounding the health challenges of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, may be top on the agenda.

A source, however, said the proposed gathering might not be unconnected with the alleged marginalisation of the community in political alignments in recent times and the need to chart a way forward for the Itsekiris at home and in the diaspora.

I won’t withdraw suit against Olugbemi —Olujide

By Olawale Olaniyan From left, Chairman, Airtel Nigeria, Dr Oba Otudeko; widow of the late Ambassador Ade Adefuye, Mrs Sola Adefuye and the children of the deceased, Babatunde, Tolu and Bunmi, during the burial service for the late envoy, at the Christ Church Cathedral, Marina, Lagos, on Friday. PHOTO: ALABA IGBAROOLA

Beware of fake Boko Haram, Kano gov warns Buhari Clement Idoko - Abuja

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ANO State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has advised the Federal Government to be cautious in negotiating with the Boko Haram sect, so as not to dialogue with the wrong people.

He, however, commend-

ed the efforts of the Armed Forces and President Muhammadu Buhari since he assumed office to end the insurgency in the northeastern part of the country.

Ganduje, who spoke with State House correspondents on Friday at the Presidential Villa, warned that government should be careful about the group it engages in negotiation

with because the Boko Haram insurgents are said to have many factions.

President Buhari had few days ago said his administration is negotiating with some of the leaders of the Boko Haram sect to secure the release of the over 200 abducted Chibok schoolgirls.

Buhari reportedly made the disclosure on Tuesday in Paris, France, while

Nigeria intensifies tracking of compensation for Saudi crane victims Christian Okeke - Abuja THE Federal Government, through the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the Nigeria Consulate in Saudi Arabia, is currently following up on the promised payouts for families of those killed and injured in last week’s crane crash tragedy at Grand Mosque Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

A total of six Nigerians lost their lives in the accident, while three were injured.

In a royal court order, the King of Saudi Arabia announced that there would be R1 million paid to each victim’s family, R1 million to those whose injuries resulted in permanent disability, and R500,000 for each of the injured pilgrims.

King Salman also announced that the Kingdom would host two family members of those who died for next year’s Hajj, while those who were injured and cannot complete their spiritual exercise this year would be able to return next year as the king’s guests.

Also, family members of the injured persons in hospitals would be granted visit visas to remain in the

Kingdom.

Responding to an inquiry

by Saturday Tribune shortly before leaving for Saudi Arabia, the chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Abdullahi Mukhtar, said part of the efforts by the commission was to ensure that the money reached families of the bereaved as well as others earmarked to be beneficiaries.

He confirmed that the injured ones were stable and responding to treatment.

Mukhtar stated that there was no incidence of arrest of Nigerian government of-

ficial in Saudi, contrary to some media reports.

He clarified that what happened was that pilgrims from a particular state who went to Mecca for personal business without their papers were detained by security agencies but were later released.

He disclosed that about 65, 000 pilgrims were airlifted to perform this year’s pilgrimage using Hajj flights.

Mukhtar expressed satisfaction that the carriers deployed right aircraft and improved on their schedule and catering services.

fielding questions from members of the Nigerian community in France.

But the governor, when asked on his message to Boko Haram in the face of possible dialogue, said: “I hope when we negotiate with them, we are negotiating with the correct people.

“Experience has shown that they have so many factions and if we are not lucky, we may be dealing with the wrong faction.

Whatever it is, I believe the security agencies should have intelligence information to know what type of people we are dealing with,” he said.

Ganduje also stressed the need for community policing, saying communities should be interested in the whole security situation because a lot of information could be received from the local people, which would assist the securit agencies.

He also spoke on the optimism for a peaceful Eid-elkabir celebration in view of the success being recorded by the Nigerian Armed Forces in the fight against the Islamic sect.

Ambode mulls collaboration with Kebbi on rice production LAGOS State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has said that his government will consider the possibilities of collaborating with his Kebbi State counterpart to explore the economic opportunities in the production and distribution of high yield quality rice and other ventures.

Ambode made the disclosure at the closing ceremony of the 2015 Annual National Women Conference, organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO)

held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

This was just as three key individuals and a corporate organisation, made up of the chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; former chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Mrs Anutal Savara, and Honeywell Group Nigeria Limited were presented with Certificates of Appreciation.

The governor, while recalling that his Kebbi State

counterpart, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, had during the opening ceremony of the conference on Wednesday sought the cooperation between women in Kebbi and Lagos in the production of high quality yield rice, said it was one area the state would seek to explore.

“I am sure the leadership of COWLSO has taken note of this and would work towards creating the platform for this cooperation to work and further show the economic relevance of women,” he said.

A former Commissioner for Environment and Habitat in Oyo State, Honourable Olujide Adewale Lawrence has vowed not to withdraw the suit he instituted against the All Progressives Congress (APC’s) Olusumbo Olugbemi after the election held in Oyo State following the declaration and eventual inauguration of Adewale as a federal lawmaker.

Olujide disclosed this at a meeting held at the APC’s Oluyole Local Government office following a letter written to them by the state’s secretariat, which is asking the former commissioner to withdraw the case from the court.

Olujide said he could not be a sacrificial lamb again after he had been denied his position in the party twice, saying he’s ready to fight for his mandate in the party.

“I have been a loyalist of the party and we all know what the constitution of the party stipulates, so I’m ready to fight for justice because I hate injustice. I was the winner of the APC primaries for the Federal House of Representatives (Oluyole Federal Constituency) held in December 2014,” he said.

Tribunal upholds Yayi’s election as senator Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin - Lagos THE Lagos National and State House of Assembly Election Tribunal sitting in Ikeja on Friday dismissed the petition filed by Mr Segun Adewale of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the election of Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi) representing Lagos West senatorial district.

Delivering judgement in the petition, the tribunal, led

by Justice Sylvester Orji, held that Adewale’s petition against Adeola’s election lacked merit.

Adewale had urged the tribunal, through his petition, to annul the election of Adeola on the grounds that he was not qualified to contest the election.

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Saturday Tribune

Ekiti House canvasses for increase in political officials’ remuneration

The national president and chairman of the council, Nigerian Institute of Management, Dr Uno Uwaga (centre), flanked by members of the council during a courtesy visit to Tribune House, on Friday. PHOTO: ALOLADE GANIYU

Fire outbreaks burns 3 orphans to death in Nasarawa Ademola adegbite - Lafia

T

HREE orphans of the same family were on Thursday night burnt to death at Ntsakpe village, Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The fire, it was gathered, started after the family had gone to bed and flammable material placed by a lighted candle went up in flames.

Saturday Tribune reliably gathered that the deceased, who were aged between seven and 15 years, lighted a candle and placed it inside a box, and thereafter went to bed.

Investigations further revealed that the box got burnt to ashes and consumed the entire room, resulting in the death of the three children.

But a family source, who did not want her name in print, said “the children, who were orphans of the same family, died as a re-

sult of smoke inhaled from burning candle in their room while sleeping.”

The village head of Ntsakpe, Mr. Ladan Mbreki, while confirming the incident to Saturday Tribune, lamented that the community has never witnessed such incident since its creation, describing the death as painful and a great loss to the community.

Also confirming the incident, chairman of the local government area, Mr. Abashi Koto, said he was shocked over the death and implored the entire people of the area to be more cautious in the use of flammable materials.

When contacted on phone in Lafia, the state capital on Friday, the state Police Public Relations Officer

Muslim students appeal ban on Hijab Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyi - Lagos FOLLOWING the ban of hijab in schools in Lagos State, female Muslim students have urged the Court of Appeal to reverse the decision.

Justice G.M. Onyeabo had on October 17, 2014, dismissed a suit filed by two female Muslim students of Atunrashe Junior High School, Surelere, Asiyat

Abdulkareem and Maryam Oyeniyi, who challenged the ban on hijab.

The students had sued for themselves and on behalf of others under the umbrella of the Registered Trustees of Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria.

The applicants had headed for the court in protest against the decision of the vice principal of their school, who sometime in January 2012, directed all

NIM president commends Tribune for balance reportage

By Tunde Ogunesan THE President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered), Dr Nelson Uwaga, has commended the management of African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of Tribune titles, for maintaining objectivity and balanced reportage of events over the years.

Dr Uwaga made this remark when he led the council of the institute to pay a courtesy visit to the management of ANN Plc on Friday.

(PPRO), Ismaila Numan, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said the children were dead following the burning candle that consumed their room after they fell asleep.

At the time of filing this report, the corpses were yet to be buried, while sympathisers continued to troop in to console the bereaved family.

He was accompanied by the Registrar of the council, Engineer M.K. Suleiman; immediate former chairman, Princess Stella Olaniyan; Chairman, Henry Adegbuyi; General Secretary, Ibadan chapter, Dr Olatunde Kolade; treasurer, Mrs Olufunke Michael; Mr Temitayo Adegbuyi, Olanihun Adegbola and Mrs Jumoke Obasa.

The team was received by the Associate Editor, Sunday Tribune, Mr Wole Efunnuga; Purchasing Manager, Mr Samuel Afo-

labi; Deputy Manager, Personnel, Mrs Ijeoma Adesanya; Finance Manager, Mrs Folasade Adediran and the Manager, Internal Audit, Mr Peculiar Adegbite, at the boardroom of the company.

Dr Uwaga expressed his appreciation to the sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the chairman of ANN Plc, Chief Mrs HID Awolowo, for their vision and love for the masses in establishing the company. He added that the name Awolowo will continue to be relevant as long as the world exists.

students and teachers wearing hijabs to remove them.

They had urged the court to declare that the ban on hijab violated their rights to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, dignity of human persons and freedom from discrimination guaranteed by the Nigerian constitution.

But Onyeabo dismissed the suit, holding that the ban was neither discriminatory nor a breach of sections 38 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution as argued by Chief Gani Adetola-Kazeem, who represented the students.

The judge held that allowing the use of hijab in public schools, as prayed by the students, would jeopardise Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution, which makes Nigeria a secular state.

“The values of plurality and the respect for the rights of others who have subscribed to a non-faith based educational system cannot be breached,” the judge had said.

She added that since public schools were funded by the state, the responsibility to issue dress code for the students also lay with the government.

THE Ekiti State House of Assembly has called on the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) not to reduce remuneration for public office holders, insisting that it should rather shore up the packages.

According to a statement issued by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Speaker of the House, Stephen Gbadamosi on Friday, the call was contained in a position paper presented by a delegation of the House at an interactive session organised by the commission with state Houses of Assembly in the South-West region in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The delegation, led by the House Committee on Health Chairman, Honourable (Dr) Babajide Omotosho and the Clerk of the House, Mr Tola Esan, contended that if the Federal Government was truly keen on fighting corruption, public office holders ought to be made comfortable to divert their attention from graft.

While presenting the position on the floor of the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, Secretariat, Ibadan, Dr Omotosho maintained that it had become worrisome that in Ekiti State, the salaries and allowances of principal officers of the House, the honourable members, the chairman and other commissioners in the Assembly Service Commission are grossly inadequate to meet their obligations.

Election tribunal: Akpabio ends defence THE senator representing Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district, Chief Godswill Akpabio, has ended his defence at the Akwa Ibom State National and State Houses of Assembly Tribunal sitting at the Customary Court, Dutse, Abuja.

Senator Akpabio, who is also the Minority Leader of the Senate, at the close of his defence, called 19 witnesses from across the 10 local government areas which make up the senatorial district.

All the witnesses said in unison that they participated in the National Assembly elections which they said were free, fair and peaceful. They also confirmed that they had no doubt in their minds that they voted for Chief Akpabio as a candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

AFRH calls for regulation in the practice of assisted reproductive technique Newton-Ray Ukwuoma - Lagos A body of fertility specialists known as the Association of Fertility and Reproductive Health (AFRH) has called for the regulation of the practice of assisted reproductive technique in the country.

AFRH’s president, Dr. Taye Iketubosun, who made the call in Lagos during a press briefing on the 5th International Conference of AFRH, stated that the proliferation of clinics for infertility treatment in the country demands regulatory and ethical guidelines to ensure the safety of practitioners and clients.

“Due to the effects and stigmatisation attached to the infertile couple, a lot of clinics are springing up that practice assisted reproductive technique. It is, therefore, imperative to have regulation and ethical best practice guidelines in this field of medicine.”

Naira firms against the dollar, others THE naira on Friday appreciated by one point against the U.S dollar at the parallel market.

The development, according to Mr Abubakar Audu, a trader at the parallel market, follows the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s sale of dollar to Bureau De Change (BDC) operators.

The Nigerian currency traded for N225, N345 and N248 on Friday afternoon against the dollar, pounds and euro respectively.

This is as against Thursday when Naira traded for N226, N345 and N248 against the dollar, pounds and euro respectively.

Meanwhile, the official interbank rate remained at N197 to a dollar.

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19 September, 2015

Saturday Tribune

Graduation service

Bayelsa State governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (left), in a discussion with the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) panel for the ward congresses from the national headquarters, Abuja, Buraimah Ademuyewa (right), during the PDP ward congress at Ward Two, Angalabiri, in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state, while the Special Adviser to the Governor on Legal Matters, Barrister Stanley Demabide (centre) looks on.

Bank manager, dispatch rider arrested for conspiracy over attempted robbery Ebenezer Adurokiya, Warri

AN operations manager working with a new generation bank (name withheld) has been arrested in connection with attempted robbery at a branch of the bank (name withheld), in Warri.

The operations manager was also arrested along with the bank’s dispatch rider (name withheld).

They were nabbed through intelligence report gathered by operatives of SARS, who mounted surveillance around the bank premises against armed robbers.

The operatives, Saturday Tribune learnt, had got the wind that a gang of armed robbers had finalised plans to rob the bank on September 4.

The gang, it was gathered, was detailed by the insidersuspects.

Armed with the infor-

mation, the police operatives mounted a resistance against the gang of robbers when they eventually invaded the bank in the evening of September 4,

Meanwhile, various sums of money hidden in the offices of the two suspects were allegedly recovered by the security operatives.

Police Public Relations

Extrajudicial killings: Police detain ASP, 6 corporals Chris Agbambu – Abuja SEVEN policemen are currently being detained by the police for unlawful killing of former Senator Fidelis Okoro’s son, John Chukwuemeka Okoro, in Abuja and one Benson Obode, in Benin City.

Informed police sources disclosed to Saturday Tribune that John Okoro was killed in Abuja on August 11, 2014.

The source said that John and his friend, Sunday Marcus, alias ‘Sunday

Black’, went out on the day of the incident to Durumi area in Garki.

It was gathered that the police got a distress call, that there was an attempt to snatch a car around Mabushi, and the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) team trailed the robbers from Mabushi to Durumi and in the process, John Okoro was arrested, while his friend said Marcus escaped.

The source revealed that while on their way to SARS office, the leader of

Glo partners Konga, customers to enjoy exciting benefits NIGERIA’S fully integrated telecommunication network, Globacom, has opened a new online store in partnership with the country’s largest online mall, Konga.com.

The online shop located at www.konga.com/gloworld will feature a wide range of devices including modems, routers, Sim cards, dongles, WiFi modems, power banks, memory cards, phones, tablets and computers at incredibly low prices and with the guarantee of fast nationwide delivery.

Apart from these, Globacom also has a dedicated store on Konga’s marketplace which will provide a

Officer (PPRO), DSP Celestina Kalu, who confirmed the arrest, said the two bank officials were undergoing further investigations.

wider opportunity for Nigeria’s online community to access Globacom products.

The partnership between Glo and Konga will also feature a promotional campaign tagged the ‘Glo with Happiness’ campaign, which will open up a new range of benefits to customers of the two companies over the coming weeks.

Shoppers on the online shop will enjoy a special treat of up to 4.5GB of free data on their new devices and a further 100% bonus data for subsequent subscriptions made on the devices for a whole year, courtesy of Globacom.

As part of the deal, Glo is offering a ‘Recharge and Win’ promo in which all

subscribers on the Globacom network stand to enjoy discounts off their first purchases on Konga.

Globacom said that for customers to win in this promo, they simply need to recharge their phones with airtime of N1,000 or more and they will get a discount code immediately, which gives them N1,000 off their first order on konga.com.

Globacom’s Regional Chief Marketing Officer, Mr Ashok Israni, said the company entered into the partnership with Konga to extend its reach to the online community in tandem with its tradition of bringing its products and services closer to all its subscribers.

the team, one ASP Muhammed Yusuf, shot John in the leg and chest and the boy consequently died.

The source said that following a petition from former Senator Okoro to the Inspector General of Police alleging ex-judicial killing and in the course of investigation, Sunday Marcus gave the exact story of how the incident happened and how he escaped, while the owner of the car that was allegedly snatched also made his statement.

However, it was gathered that during interrogation, the policemen claimed that there was a shootout and in the process, John was shot.

The team of investigations in their report indicted the three police officers — ASP Muhammed Yusuf, Corporal Agada Lawrence and Corporal Agada Kenneth — and they are all facing administrative internal discipline which will lead to their dismissal and eventually be charged to court for murder.

Also in the second incident of extrajudicial killing of one Benson Obode of Aduwawa Benin City, four policemen are currently being detained in Abuja.

The policemen are corporals Adeleke Adedeji, Abena John, Henry Shobowale and Oniyo Musa.

THE First Christ Gospel Ministries (Inc), will hold the 20th annual graduation service of the College of Salvation and Practical Evangelism (COSAPE), on the ministries’ premises, No 24, Ago Tapa, Mokola, Ibadan, today, Saturday, September 19, 2015, at 10a.m. prompt. Ministering is Pastor Paul Adebayo.

The Bible College will parade 20 graduating students, while the church’s 26th anniversary thanksgiving comes up on Sunday, October 4, 2015 by 12:00 noon, at Adebomi Bus Stop, Ayantola village, off Oleyo Road, Odo-Ona Elewe, Ibadan.

A three-day power-packed vigil holds from Monday, September 28, 2015 to Wednesday, September 30, 2015, starting from 12a.m. each day at Ago Tapa, Mokola, Ibadan, to be followed by a two-day revival from Thursday, October 1 to Friday, October 2, 2015 at Adebomi Bus Stop, Ayantola village, off Oleyo Road, Odo-Ona Elewe, Ibadan, by 5pm.

According to the anniversary commitee, the theme of the convention/anniversary is “Returning the Captivity of Zion”. Ministering are Prophet J. Ola Akande and other anointed men of God.

Expert appeals to Buhari on reduction of foreign missions

By Tunde Ogunesan A political scientist and former aide to Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Dr Gbade Ojo, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to exercise restraint in his plan to reduce the number of Nigeria’s foreign missions.

The university lecturer, who noted that the outcome might not be favourable to some Nigerians made this known while speaking with journalists on Friday in Ibadan, emphasised on the need for President Buhari to rescind his decision to prune down the number of foreign missions in the country and to reduce the number of foreign diplomats, which in his opinion, might not beneficial to the country.

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newsmaker

Idris Wada: Desiring yesterday amid conspiracies LANRE ADEWOLE profiles Governor Idris Wada’s journey to power and the likely journey to the future.

G

overnor Idris Wada of Kogi State had a destiny to be governor. What is not too certain is if the said destiny was wired for a second term. If there was a prophecy that he would be governor in 2011 without being anywhere near the race a year earlier and completely out of reckoning, such would even be more believable now than any prophecy of re-election. Despite having the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which has ruled the state since the coming of civil rule in 1999, the November 21 governorship election in the state should be foreboding for him and genuine supporters, despite the overt upbeat mood in his camp, which for all intent and purposes, is for politics and media.

For a providential governor, Wada, the former flying pilot, is arguably the sole architect of the twin issues of performance index and loyalty question that are now likely to make him a one-term governor.

The projection that Wada isn’t highly likely to be re-elected is mainly founded on the outcome of the March presidential and National Assembly elections in the state in which the pilot ran into stormy weather with his PDP crew. The All Progressives Congress (APC) raided everywhere including Wada’s backyard. Surprisingly, he renavigated in the April House of Assembly election and landed safely with a PDP-dominated legislature.

What should count as a commendable resurgence for him, however, has become his albatross as a party man, with the well-circulated conspiracy theory that he purposely left the presidential and National Assembly flight on autopilot, allegedly abandoning party loyalty for religious sentiments.

The suspicion was that he “opened” the state for President Muhammadu Buhari to trounce his party’s candidate, former President Goodluck Jonathan, because of an alleged “Northern Muslim accord” to return power to a Muslim northerner like Wada. The conspiracy theory almost cost him the ticket to fly his party’s flag as the national leadership which is still fiercely loyal to Jonathan, many governors elected on the party’s platform, mostly from the South, perhaps with the exception of Governor Segun Mimiko of Ondo State, his erstwhile benefactor and godfather, former Governor Ibrahim Idris and other party bigwigs in the state, were covertly and overtly opposed to Wada running on PDP’s platform again.

The conspiracy theory, further fuelled by Wada’s visit to Jonathan’s nemesis, former President Olusegun Obasanjo aftermath Jonathan’s loss, is likely to haunt Wada more in the state-wide election, than his generally-accepted underwhelming performance in the last three and half years in office, with numerous party faithful reportedly vowing to stay back in the party as fifth columnists to ensure that they also see Wada’s back in November before openly identifying with the APC. To bookmakers, PDP’s national leadership’s vac-

illation on Wada’s candidature was more as a payback, than consideration for his electoral worth, vis-a-vis his electability on performance ratio.

Wada has, however, consistently defended himself against the said conspiracy theory, saying that he neither left the flight on autopilot in the presidential election, nor went to Obasanjo to pop champagne for seeing Jonathan’s back and remind him of a Buhari presidency-formy-second term pact.

Analysts have reasoned that if such conspiracy theory existed, then Wada must either be a coldly-calculating politician or his original benefactor, former Vice-President Namadi Sambo was also part of the northern pact to sack his former boss from Aso Rock.

This new permutation is reasoned on the fact that but for Sambo, with Jonathan’s approval though abroad then, Wada would not have been sworn in, though a governor-elect, when the Supreme Court on January 27, 2012, sacked Idris and four other governors over tenure elongation matter. With the apex court holding that the tenure of the said five governors had lapsed eight months earlier, precisely on May 29, 2011 and ordering their immediate exit from office, the constitutional practice was for the Speaker of the House of Assembly to take over the leadership of the state. But in Kogi’s case, on January 28, 2012, two governors emerged with the Chief Judge Nasiru Ajanah swearing-in the Speaker and kinsman Abdullahi Bello as the constitutionallyrecognised acting governor and Wada, sworn in by the President, Customary Court of Appeal, and kinsman, Mr. Shaibu Atadoga.

While Wada’s swearing-in was controversial, he got away with it, mainly with the active collaboration of Sambo who was holding the fort for his boss as the Commander-In-Chief.

If the parting of ways between Wada and Idris could be explained and located in the course of their political journey, the question will be, when did same happen between Wada and Sambo, to the point of helping in truncating the political journey of the Kaduna-born architect, since he would have been re-elected alongside his boss if PDP didn’t lose hith-

erto “safe zone” like the Kogi, Benue, Plateau among others?

However, theorists are asking questions. Won’t Sambo’s loss, in his home state Kaduna vindicate Wada? Would any conspiracy theory involving an outsider hold, in the face of the crushing defeat the former VP got his erstwhile principal in his Kaduna backyard? Can the governor be blamed for a hurricane that the original victim could not even prevent or contain when he had the opportunity?

Like Kogi, PDP had been in charge of Kaduna since 1999 until the hurricane of 2015. Will it then mean that Sambo also bought into the anti-Jonathan sentiment in the North, in order not to be seen as anti-North?

Another variant of questioning is, why did PDP rebound in Kogi in just two weeks after losing all the three senatorial seats and nearly all the House of Representatives seats? Another conspiracy theory is being woven around it. The suspicion that Wada didn’t want any of the National Assembly members to return because he didn’t have the luxury of dishing out the tickets to his preferred candidates, resumed full discussion when APC senator for Kogi West, Dino Melaye tweeted his support for Wada of PDP instead of his party’s candidate, former Governor Abubakar Audu, moments after Wada emerged PDP’s flagbearer, though the controversial tweet was almost immediately pulled down.

Did Wada truly dump his own in March? As the garrison leader of PDP, did he truly open the flanks for the enemy to raid his backyard for reinforcement when it was time for him to confront his enemies in the PDP, including Idris, the man that single-handedly made him governor?

In the build-up to the PDP primaries that Wada won, his camp had criticised his main challenger, Jubrin “Echocho” Isah as an unstable party man that would sell the PDP platform to APC, once picked. The case built against the challenger was his filial relations with Audu, an assumption the original owner of the current PDP ticket Wada is using, considered insulting.

Interestingly, the same case is now being built against Wada. The only difference is that while Echocho was accused of planning to win the PDP ticket to provide a roller coaster for his

in-law Audu to Lord Lugard Government House by not providing any serious challenge in the governorship contest, Wada is being perceived as one-leg in, one-leg out of PDP, with a win expected to see him defect to APC, to complete the alleged pact with Buhari, Obasanjo and the APC leadership.

The alleged pact, according to analysts, was reportedly responsible for the perceived lukewarm attitude of APC leadership to Audu’s emergence, with the assumption that a “weaker candidate” would have been preferred to pay Wada back without too much of stress. Interestingly, APC Governors Forum has been more upbeat about Audu’s emergence than the party leadership and the presidency.

Is there truly a pact for the new ruling party to return Wada and have him join the “progressives”?

However, the conspiracy theories could be a blessing in disguise for the governor, considering that they have almost taken all attention away from his performance. Many would also argue that performance has got little role to do with elections in the state since 1991. Ethnic superiority has been key to electoral success and with the two leading candidates, Audu and Wada, from the same Kogi East and their deputies from Kogi West, the scale looks balanced.

But it would be dangerous for the opposition to wish Wada away. Electorally, he had won one and lost one.

Now that the election is about him, the dynamics could change. But what about the widespread perception that Kogi is now an APC state under a PDP rule.Though incumbency won’t count much, a razor-edge advantage is still there for him. Freeing himself from the grip of Idris should also count for him with the enemies of the former governor. With both leading candidates promising power shift to either of Kogi Central or West in 2019 for the first time, the victory pendulum could go either way, depending on whose’s promise is considered more credible by the two senatorial zones that would determine who would be governor.

While it is surely early to determine what fate awaits Wada, he will surely desire “yesterday” when he swept through the three zones. But he also surely knows that this flight is going to be turbulent even with the experienced pilot firmly in the driver seat.

feature

feature

politics

seniorcitizen

Encounters with prostitutes: ‘I can’t marry a man who patronises prostitutes’

‘I was the breadwinner, now I beg to eat’

They say I’m stingy but I spend more than any other person —Gov Dickson

The secrets of my success as gov of Western, Oyo States —Jemibewon

P35

Millions face hunger in Nigeria’s north east —UN P40

P38&39

Pp37&40

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19 September, 2015

Saturday Tribune

With Toluwani Olamitoke 08050498504 toluwaniforever@yahoo.com

‘A wise woman, no matter how successful,

endears herself to her husband’

Dr Monica Aneni is a lecturer at the Department of Classics, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan and Secretary, Welfare Committee, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the same university. She speaks with OLAKUNLE TAIWO on her background, career and also shares the secret of her successful marriage.

C

an you let us into your educational background?

After my secondary school education, I had my first degree from the Department of Classics, University of Ibadan. My second degree and Ph.D are also in Classics from the same university.

How was your childhood like?

It was interesting. I grew up with a mother who was very strict; she ensured that we were disciplined, obeyed rules and regulations, and did our chores at home whether she was around or not. She taught us how to combine house chores with school work.

And most importantly, she made sure that we attended church services all the time. We learnt a great deal about life. So, I enjoyed every bit of my childhood.

You didn’t make mention of your dad, why?

You know how it is with fathers, most times, you don’t see them around, because they want to make sure they fend for the family. My father was a disciplinarian but not as strict as my mum. We could play pranks on my father sometimes, but we couldn’t do that with my mum. When we said we weren’t going to attend school if she didn’t give us money, she would tell us those who didn’t have money to buy books still made efforts to take the first position in class and all that. So, when my father was around, we hid at his back whenever we did something wrong, but when he was posted out of town, we had to face the consequences.

What were those things you learnt from your parents while growing up that shaped your life?

From my dad, I learnt that I could be patient and try to look at things from every angle. But from my mum, you pay for your actions afterwards. I would say I learnt discipline from my mum.

What were those things that mattered to you while growing up?

These were values, not money. My parents taught us just that. I was taught to be sincere and morally upright. So, it is not what you have that makes you, but the values instilled in you, and how well you have impacted on the world around you.

When did you decide you were ripe for marriage?

I think when every young girl attains a certain age, they naturally begin to think about marriage and children. But my parents would always say it is best when you graduate from the university. So, when I graduated, I knew it was time and I started looking for the Mr Right.

So, how did you come across your Mr Right?

I met him when I was at the University of Ibadan, we were friends. When he made his intention known to me I prayed about it and God said he was the one. We took it up from there.

How has it been since you got married?

There have been challenges. There is no perfect marriage, but God has kept us going.

We were following what the Bible prescribed for marriage. For instance, the Bible says ‘Husband love your wife’, so it is the responsibility of the husband to do that. So, when the same Bible says ‘Wives be obedient to your husbands’, who am I not to? If homes can follow these biblical instructions,I believe all will be fine.

What about a situation where the woman has to follow her mind and do it her way, because she has seen the picture?

The woman should still be obedient. She shouldn’t be smart and try to see it her own way. Women, because of their intuition, know things easily; they have that instinct when something is likely to go wrong. In that instance, a woman can put across to the man in a gentle manner, what she has seen and thought. But, most times, those things don’t happen. When your husband says he doesn’t see an issue the way the wife has seen it, you must let things be, after a while he will agree with you. But if truly you are convinced about the way an issue should be handled, you can pray that God should open his eyes. The most important thing is for every woman to understand her role and play it well. This will no doubt endear her to her husband and automatically keep the home from trouble.

What should be done when the is-

sue of finance arises at home?

Of course, the onus is on the man, but a virtuous woman, according to the scripture should be gainfully employed or empowered so as to be able to assist the man. Sometimes a man might not be financially buoyant and if he loses his job how will the home look like in that situation? But then some men don’t like their wives assisting them financially in running the home. Even in such a situation a wise and responsible woman should still try and save so that should of the case the unexpected happens, she will be able to save the situation.

How would you describe the role of combining lecturing and your duties at home ?

It has been very, very challenging. I remember when I embarked on my Ph.D programme, my husband was working in Lagos, I had to prepare the children for school and back home, help them with their assignments, do the house chores, and then focus on my research work too. There were times my kids and I broke down, but I was a bit relieved after I had taught them how to do some things in the house. It was just God who gave me the grace to be able to do all that.

How would you advise career women or women who are ambitious but are restrained by their husbands?

What I would usually do is pray, because if your husband is saying don’t go, then you shouldn’t. A woman needs her husband’s support and blessing in all that she does.

The truth is that no matter how wonderful or successful a woman is, she must be obedient to her husband. But if she thinks God is really sending her to take up a particular position in life, then she should pray to God both to make it happen and convince her husband about it. Again, women should begin to sit down and ask themselves their motives for delving into certain things. A

woman should be able to ask herself, ‘Am I going there to show off or do what God wants me to do?’

Have you always known you were going to become a teacher?

Yes. Before I got married, I started teaching in a school and everything started falling in place, although my salary wasn’t fat.

I knew God has called me to teach, because the manner at which I taught my students was quite different from what they were used to in the past. They loved the way I taught them so much that they would even come to my house sometimes so as to put them through.

You returned from the United States just recently, what did you see as different in the women you related with there and how will you compare their way of thinking with Nigerian women?

Well, I came across both the educated and the uneducated women there, and their views on issues of life are actually different. There are some educated Nigerian women who think that way too, but when it comes to other issues like marriage, upbringing, Americans’ views are quite different. But some of them do think like us. I came across someone who is a Christian and whose views are exactly the same as mine.

We shared a lot of things in common. When you look at the American system, I want to say that from the little I know, it creates opportunity for people to aspire. But in this part of the world, there are obviously opportunities but you really have to sweat to have access to them or tap them. Our value systems are intact and I like them. Many Nigerians believe in our value system which requires you respect your parents, elders, greet and show kindness to people.

In America, no one wakes up to greet you ‘good morning.’

11

19 September, 2015

Saturday Tribune BLESSING EKUM ekumblessing@gmail.com 08116954639

food&drink

Kofoworola Kola-Olugboye, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Merveille Cakes: People say that jollof rice cooked over fire wood tastes different from the one cooked with a gas cooker. I don’t think it’s true.

Bimpe Lanleyin

Kofoworola Kola-Olugboye

Edna Olabimpe Adewunmi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Honeydrops Catering Services: The jollof rice taste we talk about is actually the taste of burnt food and I don’t believe well-cooked jollof rice should have that burnt, smoky taste.

There is the talk that smoke from firewood gives it the party jollof rice taste but I don’t think it affects the taste of food; it only depends on the person cooking it.

Ozoz Sokoh, a food enthusiast and food blogger: The smoky flavour comes about because party jollof rice is commonly cooked over open fire. However, this can also be achieved on the stove top by ‘controlled’ burning of the rice. The key is to cook the rice in a vessel that allows burning, preferably stainless steel, aluminium or cast iron as opposed to non-stick.

Olubunmi Oguntoye, Director, Bomfy Chops: When making party jollof rice, you can’t take away the firewood flavour which gives it that extra kick.

Morenike Kemi Akinwande

I

N this part of the world, few foods are as revered and celebrated as jollof rice.

No party is complete without it and most homes serve it during festivities.

Like a jollof rice lover once stated, “spelling jollof rice with small letter ‘j’ is an insult.

Jollof rice is not just a food; it’s a feeling, a sign of hope and a way of life.”

Jollof rice has its origins among the Wolof people of Senegal and The Gambia and the delightful recipe spread across West Africa.

However, like most things imported to Nigeria, we give it some tweaks and twists and what was just jollof rice is now a delicious never-to-be-missed delicacy. In fact, the Nigerian jollof rice seems to be the king of all other jollofs across West Africa; and not just any jollof rice but the party jollof rice.

Most people who enjoy this delicacy would swear that jollof rice cooked at parties taste differently from those cooked at home. They may be prepared with the same basic ingredients of rice, tomatoes, onions, peppers (scotch bonnet, red bell peppers, chilli) and spices, but for some reason, the flavour and aroma that accompany party jollof rice is distinct and many find it difficult to replicate at home.

BLESSING EKUM speaks with food experts about what makes party jollof rice stand out.

Why party jollof rice is more delicious Nike Salau, caterer and sous chef, Super K Hotels: The ingredients are basically the same but the timing in adding the ingredients makes party jollof rice different.

Bimpe Lanleyin, restaurateur, Bimples Bar and Restaurant: First, I would say the ingredients used are not exactly the same. In restaurants, most of the time, palm oil is used in preparing the stew.

At home, it is usually vegetable or groundnut oil.

Another reason could be that the chances of overcooking are slimmer in a restaurant because we are pressed for time. I would also add that most times, when we cook at home, we tend to over-spice our food. In restaurants, just the basic spices are used and the taste comes out fine.

Edna Olabimpe Adewunmi

Uchene Joy Onubi, food enthusiast: To get that party jollof rice flavour, fry the tomato/pepper/onions paste very well and use curry and thyme liberally. Bay leaves and quality jollof spice also add to it.

Morenike Kemi Akinwande, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Wandy Cakes n More: The magic behind the party jollof rice is the firewood smoke, unlike nowadays whereby people use gas for cooking party foods. When you use the same measure of ingredients and seasoning to prepare jollof rice with gas fire and with firewood, you will notice the difference even in the smell and taste.

Oyeronke Oke, Chief Executive Officer, (CEO), Khalish Catering Services: Most of the time, those who prepare party jollof rice are experts, so they are good at it. They are also very cautious about proportions and measurements and this affects the outcome.

Oyeronke Oke

Nike Salau

Mrs Felicia Odediran, caterer with years of experience: First, the smoke from firewood contributes to the aroma. Then also, different seasonings are used, usually not less than three. All these mix to bring about a nice aroma and flavour. I also strongly believe that some people are naturally good at cooking, such that whatever they cook always turns out delicious, regardless of the ingredients used. For such people, whenever they cook jollof rice, it will always be tasty.

12

19 September, 2015

Saturday Tribune

08055001741 (sms only)

conversewithyemisi

yemiaofolaju@yahoo.com

‘Our relationship is yet to be defined’

I

Dear Yemisi, am in a relationship and so much in love with a guy, but the relationship is yet to be defined. I have asked him where the relationship is heading. He claims he loves me so much, but he is not saying anything.

I am confused. Please ma, what should I do?

Lady, 080********.

Dear Lady, I hope you are not the only one assuming that you are in love with the guy. Let the feeling be mutual and don’t be too much in a haste as events unfold.

Since you have confessed that you are in love and already in the relationship. What other assurance do you need from the guy?

I stand to be corrected if you are not the one forcing yourself on the man?

The mere fact that the guy is showing you some affection does not suggest that he wants to have you as a date. I will implore you not to jump the gun. If you put much pressure on him, he might have the feeling that you are showing much

desperation.

Perhaps you have rushed into asking where the relationship is heading to prematurely. He might be taking his time to find more about you as you interact from time to time.

It is only normal if you allow your love for each other to evolve and develop with time instead of forcing your wish down his throat.

You did not give me much information so as to know what led to your coming in contact and what you both do for a living. You should not give in to anxiety because if care is not taken in the process you might be making some grave mistakes.

Between you, let there be the space to count the cost before embarking on your love journey. You must not sacrifice your integrity all in the name of falling in love with an unwilling heart. Give him time to come out of his shell and stop confusing yourself. Falling in love is not an issue that you can explain away like that.

Build on the existing friendship.

Am I doing the right thing?

Dear Yemisi, I am a youth in my early 20s, a university graduate and I have been in a relationship with a girl for seven years. We have been dating since our secondary school days and we both plan to get married in the future.

I am a Christian who strongly opposes sex before marriage and I do not engage in it.

However, I sometimes kiss and caress her. I want to know whether this is wrong or right. I have not been alone with her in places that can lead to sex.

Please, help me out on whether this is okay or not because I know that it is said that such actions will overtime lead to sex.

Tunji, 080****10**.

Dear Tunji, Your sincerity is highly commendable and you must keep it up. It will be wrong of me to describe whether your action is right or wrong but just to guide you.

Inasmuch as you have been with this same lady for almost seven years and you have maintained a no sex relationship till date, I will advise you to stop, forthwith, the romancing and caressing you have engaged in.

What only remains in the act of getting close to a lover is the main action. Don’t forget that a journey of a thousand miles begins with just a step and you have stated yourself that you have not had sex with her because you have never found yourselves in any compromising environment.

It is only normal you refrain from such acts that you will later regret because of lack of self control.

As things are now with you and your lover, you are least prepared to bear the brunt of making real your ambition of becoming a couple.

Though I don’t know your ages, delaying any amorous intimacy will be to your advantage in the shortest future of your coming together, provided you are in the right affair. It is a good thing to make a commitment and stand by every word of it, but the temptation is always rife for one to want to try that

which you have resolved and reserved till when you are pronounced husband and wife. If you ask me, you are closer to when you will have access to each other without fear of disrupting each other’s future plans.

Dear Tunji, your actions so far have not been in conformity with your confession as a Christian who opposes a sex-free relationship. To me, you are only deceiving yourself and nobody else because within you, you know you are not treading the part of honour.

Please, call a spade its name and stop playing hide and seek. Learn to walk your talk.

For Her Moji, 49, widow, 5.6feet tall, professional, MBA holder, needs a successful elderly man as companion.

Call 09097755546.

Deborah, 32, needs a responsible, God-fearing man aged between 35 and 40 for a relationship. Call 09033779770.

Woman, 50, in business, fair-skinned, Christian, needs a man aged between 50 and 60, Osun State-based, Christian, for an affair. Contact 09052801466.

Toyin, 29, needs a God-fearing man aged between 34 and 47 for a relationship. Call 08109991757.

Woman, 27, self-employed, single mother of one, educated, tall fair-skinned, beautiful, AA, Christian, seeks a slim, caring, gainfully employed widower/ divorcee aged between 30 and 40 for a relationship.

Call 08188064005.

Feyi, 43, Ogun/Rivers parentage, based in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, needs a mature, responsible man for an affair. Contact 08131819097.

For Him

Chukwudi, AA, political scientist, based in Abuja, needs a loving, disciplined, professional, working class, Christian lady aged between 40 and 48 for a relationship. Call 09027543186.

Lanre, 45, widower, needs a responsible, caring woman aged between 30 and 45 for a relationship. Call 08034206054.

Adewale, 51, civil servant, Lagos-based, needs a lady aged between 28 and 50 for a relationship. Contact 07063407104.

Festus, 39, public officer, Lokoja-based, needs an employed woman/degree holder for an affair. Call 08178038895.

Desmond, 30+, creative writer from Delta State, needs a mature-minded lady for an affair. Call/text 08151972318.

Ola Oguns, based in Lagos, single parent, needs a responsible woman aged between 35 and 47 for a relationship. Call 09034805414.

Joseph, 39, from Ogun State, Lagos-based business man, needs a God-fearing lady aged 35 or above for marriage. Call 07032360381.

Sunday, 45, 5.8feet tall, Lagos-based businessman, needs a lady aged between 35 and 40 for a relationship.

Contact 07065905897.

Bolaji Badmus, graduate, needs a woman aged 30 or above for an affair. Call 08149097813.

13

19 September, 2015

intimacy

Saturday Tribune

With Bosede Ola-Samuel 08112658560 bosedeola_samuel@yahoo.com

STRICTLY FOR ADULTS

F

OR many couples, sex is no longer what it used to be and this is mostly because there are no more adventures. The fun in great sex comes with making sex adventurous. Many couples lack the skill to be adventurous in bed with their spouses; especially wives who are scared of being termed promiscuous. So, they keep their adventurous desire within themselves, dying in silence. No wonder they become easy prey for extramarital affairs. Why not get adventurous at home with your spouse instead of endangering your marriage through extramarital affairs.

Lack of adventure is also one reason many husbands engage in extra marital affairs.

They want to have fun during sex but are scared their wives will not be ready for such.

So they are stuck in the hope that things will get better. But the truth is, many times, wishes do not translate to reality.

The starting point is to talk about your sex life in order to find out what the missing link is. If you doubt the need for this, then read this excerpt: “Even long-term couples can struggle in the bedroom. Though we can easily tell our partner what shirt we’d like him to wear or what we’d like to cook together for dinner, we tend to get tongue-tied when it comes to the topic of sex. People tend to be very sensitive when it comes to talking about sex. They’re afraid of hurting their partner’s feelings, so they don’t tell them what they like or don’t like. But you’re not going to get it unless you ask for it.”

So how do you tell your partner what you want without bruising his or her ego?

Experts say it’s really in how you bring up the statement. You can start with “I would love it if we...” or, “Could we try this?” You don’t want to make them feel bad about what they’ve done or haven’t done.

Trying out the tips below will surely help in getting the much needed fun in bed at home.

How to ignite the fire in the bedroom

a better chance of sustaining the romance.”

Bring adventure into play with respect to your sex life. Do what your partner wants in bed, and let your partner also be willing to do anything for you, too.

Engage yourselves in physical exercises Exercise works wonders not only on your body, but also on your sex life. “Activities, such as jogging and spinning release endorphins that improve your mood and relax you,” says American Council on Exercise spokesman Gregory Florez. “In the hours following 30 to 40 minutes of cardio, skin temperature is elevated and your sense of touch is heightened. It’s a great time for intimacy,” he adds. You may not even need to shower first. “Sweat is an aphrodisiac,” says Florez, who is also the CEO of FitAdvisor.com. “The smell of perspiration from a clean person is arousing. Post-exercise, your brain is in a state of hyper-arousal, and your body may be as well,” he adds.

I cannot agree less with him because I do try out a few exercises before sex, and I have found out the benefit of such.

Play funny, silly games

Engaging yourselves in games such as ‘hide and seek’, ‘who finishes a piece of meat first takes one more’, etc sets you in the mood for real sex actions. I remember entering the living room of a couple living around my area and meeting the husband complaining about his wife disturbing his

peace, by dipping her fingers into his plate of food repeatedly. Of course, the wife was only trying to put him in the mood, but he was not quick to decode it. I chipped in a tip and left the scene immediately. No wonder the husband never forgot to thank me days afterwards.

The game is all about the teasing each other to the point of sexual provocation.

It draws couples intimately close to each other. Life should not be taken too seriously.

“Better learn to relax, so that you will not collapse,” so says a younger sister of mine.

A person who does nothing to relax, will definitely collapse. It is a matter of time.

Psychiatrist and sex therapist, Barbara Bartlik, M.D., explains why silly games lead to crazy sex: “Bringing an item into the bedroom, like a board game, forces you to think about how you’re going to use this item to make the experience different. Whoever dreamed up the idea feels triumphant, while the other person feels well attended to. These positive experiences feed our relationships and make love last.” Whether it’s Scrabble or Battleship doesn’t really matter. “The best thing is, it takes the guesswork out of communication,” says Jon. “It gives us structure, and it’s fun to have a built-in forum to ask for what we want sexually.”

Schedule special sex moments

Better sex will lead to more sex, says Dr. Bartlik. So forget the quickies, and love each other long time. Schedule an appointment that neither of you is allowed

Avoid monolithic styles

Like someone puts it, from fun, sizzling sex positions to new bedroom “techniques”, you’ll find everything you need to blow her mind and have her moaning.

Many couples don’t try new sex skills all the time. Therefore, they stay too long on few sex techniques they have acquired over time. That’s why a biological anthropologist, Helen Fisher, who has been studying relationship biology for more than two decades says, “ If you keep doing things that are new and different, you have

Even long-term couples can struggle in the bedroom. Though we can easily tell our partner what shirt we’d like him to wear or what we’d like to cook together for dinner, we tend to get tongue-tied when it comes to the topic of sex... But you’re not going to get it unless you ask for it

to cancel: Laying in bed on Saturday morning or Sunday evenings is a good example. You might just chat, or touch each other from head to toes, savouring your bodies together under the sheets. This helps your connectivity level.

You will find this scheduled moment quite helpful if your daily schedule does not allow for sexual activity during the week or if parental responsibilities are fast eroding into your sex life. A wife has this to say about their sex life, “When we first met, we had sex every day. But we’re parents now and don’t have as much time. Now, it’s just once a week. But with an hour or two of sexual activity at the weekends, it’s always amazing and meaningful.”

Plan an excursion

When sexual fire has gone down, vacation or excursion can be a perfect way to rekindle the fire. For Lesley and Tim, sex isn’t just part of a vacation; It’s the very reason for the getaway. So, vacations afford couples the many opportunities to have sex. No thinking of workload or home work or house chores. Attention is focused on each other all the time. So, it is enjoyment unlimited.

To allay our fear of cost implication of such vacation, you don’t have to fly to a far-flung land to take your sexual satisfaction to new altitudes. “Surprise your partner on a random Monday or Tuesday,” suggests Megan Andelloux, director of the Miko Learning and Resource Center, in Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America. “At dusk, blindfold her and lead her to the car. As you drive to a remote location, her excitement will build. When you arrive, take off her blindfold and spend lots of time making out in your car before relocating to your predetermined love nest. Even if you end up just one or two kilometres from home, the sex adventure will be worthwhile,” she adds.

In response to my readers’ request, I have packaged some of my previous articles into a book with the title: ENJOYING GREAT SEXLIFE. You can call me on 08112658560 for the book.

14

19 September, 2015

Saturday Tribune

With Aunty Yemi 08056834515 ojeleyeoyeyemi@yahoo.com

Ha ppy

Eid el-Kabir In Advance To Our Brothers Muslim And Sisters

Our plans for

Eid el-kabir Compiled by Oluwaseun Otubela and Alimi Taibat

Lawal Roqeebat, 9 yrs old, pry 4 I would like to travel to Lagos for the Eid-il-Kabir festival to celebrate with my family as it promises to be fun-filled. One of the main reasons I would be travelling to Lagos is because it’s more interesting to celebrate there.

Kuye Farouq, 10 yrs old, pry 4 I have been looking forward to this. I intend to celebrate the Eid-il-kabir with my grandpa at Ijebu-Ode. During the festival, I will go to the praying ground to perform my Musolah and go back home.

I will be travelling to Ijebu-Ode simply because my dad promised to buy me a bicycle during the festival.

Egbinola Nurudeen, 14 yrs, pry 4 I would like to travel to Saki, but if not, I would spend it in Ibadan. If I am privileged to be alive during the festival, I promise to abide by the laid down rules that lead to Eid-ilkabir festival, which was story of Prophet Ibrahim and his household.

Get Inspired

Abdurrauf Monsruroh, 16 yrs old.

I want to celebrate this Eid-il-kabir festival in an interesting and Islamic way. I am a native of Ibadan, I would be visiting my family at Adekile.

I am looking forward to eating the cow meat with drinks. I hope to meet new friends and watch movies. My friends would come visiting. I would like to visit the film house at Cocoa Mall to watch interesting 3D movies. I love this festive period.

Abdulsalaam Aisha, 8 yrs old, pry 4 I plan to travel to Oyo State with my parents to visit my grandparents. I would like to eat the Sallah ram as I get to eat it during the festive period.

My nephews, nieces and cousins would also be there for the festival. I will visit my mom’s parents and family. I am excited.

J ke Bored in class

Hurray!

Victor

11

Adesola Babalola clocked recently.

Many happy returns.

Little Johnny was not paying attention in class so the maths teacher called on him and said, “Johnny! What are 5, 2, 28 and 40?”

Little Johnny quickly replied, “NBC, CBS, HBO, and Cartoon Network!”

Hurray!

Ibukunoluwa

Ojo

clocked

3

recently.

Many happy returns.

15

19 September, 2015

health&fitness

Saturday Tribune BLESSING EKUM

ekumblessing@gmail.com 08116954639

Having poor sleep? Your eyes may be the reason

I

By Esther Omotilewa

N as much as our eyes are one of the most important parts of the body, most times, we tend to ignore distress signs it sends out. This might explain why experts have estimated that in Nigeria, over 1,000,000 adults are blind and another 3,000,000 are visually impaired. Of all the causes of blindness, cataract has been shown to be a leading cause around the world. A survey of blindness and low vision in Nigeria initiated by the Federal Ministry of Health and supported by Sightsavers, found that two out of three Nigerians are blind from causes which could be avoided, such as cataract, which is the single commonest cause of blindness. They also discovered that nearly half a million adults in the country are in immediate need of cataract surgery.

Cataract occurs when the lens of eye is cloudy, and once this happens, the percentage of light reaching the retina reduces thus leading to reduced vision. It is usually gradual and can progress to blindness. It is usually painless and occurs in both eyes. Dr Osuolale Olumofin, an ophthalmologist, at St. Annes Hospital, Ibadan, added that not only is the lens of the eye cloudy, a person with cataract also suffers blurry vision, colours appearing faded, poor night vision, and frequent prescription changes in eye glasses or contact lenses. Recently, researchers have discovered that cataract not only affects vision but can also cause poor sleep quality.

The study took place in Japan and was presented at the meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies in June, 2015. It was said that advanced cataracts can reduce the amount of light that reaches the retina in the back of the eye and this may cause an abnormal circadian rhythm that affects sleep. They found out that removing the cataract let light into the eyes again, which brought back normal circadian rhythm and sleep quality. Besides improved sleep efficiency, patients in the study also had 33 per cent lower chance of being diagnosed with cognitive impairment. According to the researchers, people who have disturbed sleep patterns are more likely to be cognitively impaired.

Dr Olumofin added that “the psychological effect of one not being able to see well (a symptom someone with cataract will suffer) may not make the individual sleep well

and this can lead to high blood pressure.”

As serious as this eye disease is, very few people take conscious precautions to prevent it. Dr Olumofin pointed out that “Cataract can be caused by ultra violet rays that come from the sun, smoking, trauma (a blow in the eyes can make someone have traumatic cataract), drugs that contain steroids, taking of hard drugs, and old age (senile cataract occurs most in the aged i.e. those above the age of 60). Those who abuse steroids (which are mostly taken by body builders) and hard drugs have an increased chance of developing cataract. A new born baby can have cataract if

The fortunate issue with cataract is that prompt treatment can rectify the situation and restore sight back to normal. However, if treatment is not commenced, vision will gradually worsen until the person becomes completely blind.

the mother had measles during pregnancy, and this may cause total blindness. Also, for those who spend a lot of time in the sun, more than 25 per cent of them will have cataract by the time they are above the age of 65 compared to those who work indoors like the bankers and so on. This is because of the damage ultra-violet rays from the sun cause to the eyes. Most of these causes can be prevented.”

In this part of the world where there is strong belief in traditional medicine, experts state that when it comes to cataracts, traditional medicine has no solution. According to researchers in Nigeria, most procedures for blinding cataract are usually performed by herbalists and this is more common in the north of the country. Herbalists carry out a procedure known as couching. During couching, an instrument is used to dislocate the opaque lens away from the pupil, into the back of the eye. However, it is often associated with complications.

Another ophthalmologist, Dr Foluso Akintunde said, “the fortunate issue with cataract is that prompt treatment can rectify the situation and restore sight back to normal.

In cases where an operation is needed, when done by the right professionals, it is usually successful with very few or no complications. However, if treatment is not commenced, vision will gradually worsen until the person becomes completely blind. This is unlike with glaucoma, where vision gradually worsens and eventually complete irreversible blindness occurs. Once people notice the symptoms, they shouldn’t take it for granted or think they can manage with poor vision.”

Cataract can, to a large extent, be prevented. Dr Olumofin said, “when you are in the sun, make sure you protect your eyes from direct sunlight by using sunglasses with poly-carbonate plastic lenses or wearing hats and fez caps.

These block the ultra-violet rays of the sun that damage the eyes. It is not advisable to wear the local ones people buy by the roadside because those ones only darken the visible light. Feeding habits also need to be checked; cut down on foods that contain much cholesterol. People should also avoid the abuse of steroids.”

16

healthandfitness

19 September, 2015

I am allergic to condom

Saturday Tribune

Dr. Wale Okediran 08055069356 (sms only)

waleokediran@yahoo.co.uk

My bald head I am only 25 years old and already getting bald. Although my father is bald, the annoying thing is that my two elder brothers are not bald, why me? Is there any drug to reverse the baldness?

Josh (by SMS)

MY husband and I use the condom for family planning since the pill and injectable contraception does not agree with me.

Unfortunately, I have noticed that each time we have sex, it itches my private part. Kindly let me know what to do, es-

pecially on this issue of family planning.

Oluseyi (by SMS) It has been confirmed that condoms made from superior grades of latex rubber, even though expensive, do not cause the kind of reaction you are

referring to.Therefore, you can see a chemist for this kind of condom.

Apart from the condom, pill and injectable contraception, the Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD) is also available at many family planning clinics.

My baby’s breathing problem FOR the last two months, my three-year-old son has been wheezing with difficulty in breathing. The doctor who saw him said that he would need an operation to remove some overgrown tissues that are obstructing his nasal passage. However, I am afraid of an operation. Kindly let me know what to do.

Aminat (by SMS)

Since the doctor has diagnosed the cause and treatment for your son’s breathing problem, you should allow the operation to proceed. The operation which is to remove some overgrown nasal tissues is a harmless one when done by a well trained doctor.

Therefore, there is nothing to worry about.

Since baldness can be hereditary, it shows that you are the only one in the family who has inherited your father’s gene for baldness,therefore, there is nothing to worry about. While it is true that there are some claims for hair growth, many of these claims are false as such, I will not advise you to try them.

Rather, just accept your naturally bald head as a gift from your father.

I want to put on weight I am 30 years of age and the first born in a family of four. All my siblings are bigger than me while I am very thin, even though of the same height. This has been very embarrassing to me. Kindly let me know what to do to put on some

T

It is strange that while many people are trying to lose weight, your own ambition is how to put on weight. To put on weight, all you need to do is in-

I have only one testicle I am 18 years old. My mother told me that I lost one of my testicles when I was a baby due to an infection. Now that I am growing into adulthood, I am seriously worried about my ability to have

How snakebites paralyse, kill HE World Health Organization has added ‘snakebite’ to its list of neglected tropical diseases, but what is the real scale of the problem it faces against such a vicious venom?

Terrifying toxins Snake venom is made up of several hundred proteins which all have a slightly different toxic effect on the human body. One snake’s poison may not be like another’s, even if they are from the same species.

But, on the whole, there are two main ways snakes make us suffer - by attacking the circulatory system (ie. the blood) and/or the nervous system.

Haemotoxic venom goes for the bloodstream. It can trigger lots of tiny blood clots and then when the venom punches holes in blood vessels causing them to leak, there is nothing left to stem the flow and the patient bleeds to death.

Other venoms can increase blood pressure, decrease blood pressure, prevent bleeding or create it. They are all bad news.

Neurotoxic venom tends to act more quickly, attacking the nervous system and stopping nerve signals getting through to the muscles.

This means paralysis, starting at the head, moving down the body until, if untreated, the diaphragm is paralysed and the patient can’t breathe. A classic sign of this is ptosis, when people can’t keep their eyes open.

Around the area of the bite, necrosis can set in. That happens when the venom destroys nearby muscles, tissues and cells. Long-term, this can lead to amputations, the loss of the use of a limb or the need for multiple skin grafts.

Grade A killer Snakes get closer to humans and cause more damage and more deaths than any other venomous animal, including spiders, scorpions and jellyfish.

That’s because venomous snakes are found across large swathes of the planet, typically in rural, tropical areas, like sub-Saharan Africa and south-east Asia. But they also live in Australia and North America.

Since snakes lurk on the ground, often camouflaged and unseen, farmers, rural workers and many young children

more weight.

Sanusi (by SMS)

can easily disturb them and get bitten.

Each year, up to five million people worldwide are estimated to be bitten by snakes. Out of those, around 100,000 die and 400,000 are left disabled or disfigured by their injuries.

But the numbers could be even larger - because many of the worst-affected countries don’t keep data on snakebites and research into this problem is scarce.

What’s the cure?

Anti-venoms. These life-saving antidotes to snakebites are made by extracting venom from snakes then injecting it diluted into sheep or horses, which build up antibodies against it.

These antibodies are then separated from the animal’s blood and used to make anti-venom - but there’s a problem.

Anti-venoms are expensive and only produced in limited quantities. Few ordinary people can afford them and governments and health officials have shown little interest in training medical personnel to diagnose and treat venomous snake bites.

Anti-venoms which have been proven to be safe and effective are rare - and one of the best is running out.

So now the race is on to make another one.

Researchers at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine are busy collecting venom from deadly snakes in order to develop a new generation anti-venom treatment against the bite of every dangerous snake in sub-Saharan Africa, where snake bites kill about 30,000 people each year.

But experts are still unsure whether a single, universal anti-venom (which targets many types of venom from different snakes) is better than separate anti-venoms which target specific snake species in specific regions. Both are probably worth having.

Venoms are becoming more toxic Snake venom is a white or yellow-coloured liquid which is produced in glands behind the snake’s eyes and is pumped down a duct to the fangs when it bites down on something or someone.

The fangs acts like a hypodermic needle, injecting the venom quickly and efficiently into the unsuspecting victim.

Snakes with fangs at the front of their mouths are most

children with just one testicle. Kindly help me.

Chidozie (by SMS) There are many cases of men with only one testicle who have successfully fathered several children in

crease your food intake especially starchy foods such as eba, amala and pounded yam as well as beverages and fizzy drinks. The only problem is that you have to be careful so as not to overdo things and get too fat.

the past, therefore, you have nothing to worry about. If in doubt, a semen analysis to confirm your potency can be carried out when you are ready to get married.

dangerous - such as the cobra, puff adder, viper, rattlesnake and mamba, for example.

The venom produced by the snake’s ancient ancestor was relatively simple. But research suggests that it has diversified over time and now venoms are more complex and more toxic than ever before.

Venoms can vary, even within snake species and within the same country, causing different effects on the body and responding differently to the same anti-venom.

Does a snakebite hurt?

It does, apart from when you don’t know you’ve been bitten.

Snakes called kraits, which live in south Asia, have a painless bite. They are known for slithering into homes when the inhabitants are asleep, usually on beds on the floor.

The victim might be disturbed a little but is likely to go back to sleep, and in the morning they wake up paralysed - or not at all.

For most other snakes, there’s the pain felt from the initial bite, as the fangs sink into the skin, and then the pain created by the venom as it starts to work - causing inflammation, clotting the blood, causing skin cells to self-destruct.

Sucking out venom is not advised There are plenty of myths about how to deal with being bitten by a snake, so don’t be fooled.

There is no evidence at all that sucking out venom from a snakebite with the mouth or using any other suction device helps. In fact, experts say it could hasten the venom’s passage into the bloodstream.

Cutting out the venom is not recommended either because it could make the wound much worse.

In some countries, especially in remote areas where health services are scarce, natural remedies are often used to try to treat the bites but this only delays how long it takes to get to hospital.

After a bite, victims should not move the affected limb unless they have to, keep their heart rate as low as possible until they reach hospital and receive the appropriate anti-venom treatment, ideally as quickly as possible.

Source:www.bbc.co.uk

17

19 September, 2015

Saturday Tribune

18

Saturday Tribune

19 September, 2015

crimeandcourt

He brings different women into our home, wife tells court

She told me she’s too old for sex, but she brings men into our home —Husband Stories by Ayomide Owonibi and Tunde Adegbola with Agency Reports

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is that I helped her for seven years to sell bread, but up till now, she has not given me a dime.”

Taiwo, however, did not object to the dissolution of the marriage, say-

ing, “I am also fed up with the union.’’

President of the court, Mr Hakeem Oyekan, adjourned the case to October 21 for judgement.

60-year-old trader, Mrs Mary Taiwo, has pleaded with an Igando customary court in Lagos State to dissolve her 40-year-old marriage, citing her husband’s infidelity.

She told the court that her 70-year-old husband, Femi Taiwo, had been bringing several women into their matrimonial home.

“My husband comes home with different women and they sleep in our bedroom till the following day.

“He always tells me to excuse them by moving to the guest room.

“There was a day he came home with a girl, I wanted to force myself inside the room, he beat me to a pulp and I was unconscious for three days,” she said.

The wife said her husband also encouraged his daughter to destroy her property.

“There was a day my daughter poured kerosene into my room through the window and burnt my property, including my money and my husband was there to support her.”

The mother of four, therefore, urged the court to dissolve the 40-year-old marriage, saying the beating is unbearable.

In his testimony, Taiwo, the 70-year-old husband and bread seller, said he had no regrets bringing women to the house.

“I did that because my wife has been bringing her sex partners to the house and because she also denied me of sex.

“My wife tells me that she is too old for sex but she brings her men to the house.

“She will even bring their clothes to the house to wash, so I decided to bring many women to the house too. It is titfor-tat.”

He said:”What caused the frequent beating

She subjects me to sexual starvation —Husband

I’m starving him ’cos he mismanaged my money —Wife A Mapo customary court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, during the week dissolved the four yearold marriage between Tajudeen Olalekan and his wife, Modinat, over sexual starvation.

In his judgement, president of the court, Mr Ademola Odunade, held that there was no more love between the couple.

“In the interest of peaceful coexistence, the husband and wife relationship between Olalekan and Modinat has ceased to be henceforth.

“If any claim or complaint is to be made, there is ground for appeal,” he said.

Olalekan had in his petition told the court that his wife had over a period of time subjected him to sexual starvation.

“Anytime I proposed love making to Modinat, she shunned me as if I was not entitled to it.

“All my effort at making her reason with me failed because her parents and relatives that I reported the incident to could not make her change her attitude of starving me.

“Despite my being down to earth with her in

love, I am now heartbroken, frustrated and completely disillusioned by her attitude.

“For the past four years when she got to my house, she hasn’t conceived for a single hour.

“Since we got married, I have always afforded her royal treatment by providing all her needs.

“In fact, I set up a mouthwatering business of N1.6 million for her,” Olalekan said.

However, Modinat opposed Olalekan’s divorce petition, saying that she was still in love with him.

“I did all I could to conceive for him to the extent that I even underwent a surgery to correct an abnormality, but it was to no avail.

“I was staying in Abidjan, where I was prosperous before I journeyed down to Nigeria to marry him.

“Before coming down, I had sent Olalekan several huge sums of money to build a house for me, but he somehow mismanaged the fund and did not construct it to my taste.

“That was the reason why I started starving him of sexual intercourse,” she said.

‘She committed an abomination by absconding from home’ He was the one who sent me out —Wife

She steals, embarrasses me publicly —Hunband Help me beg him, though I did not offend him —Wife A-64-year old man, Mr. Femi Eboda, has prayed an Agege customary court in Lagos State to dissolve his 21-year-old marriage to Bolanle Eboda over stealing and embarrassing him publicly.

Mr. Eboda, who lives at No, 14 Amusan, Oko-Oba, Abule Egba, claimed to have been suffering from stroke, diabetes and ulcer for the past two years, saying the wife failed to take care of him.

Bolanle, while reacting to the allegations, urged the court to beg her husband on her behalf. She denied the allegations but said she was not ready for divorce.

She said the marriage is blessed with two children and her husband should consider her and resolve it.

In his rulling, president of the court, Mr. Emmanuel Shokunle, asked the couple to go back home and see how to settle it amicably because the woman still believed in the marriage.

Saturday Tribune

Court grants N400,000 bail to 4 impostors in Ondo AN Okitipupa magistrates’ court in Ondo State has granted N400, 000 bail to four men, who allegedly paraded themselves as traditional chiefs.

The magistrate, Mr Chris Ojuola, who gave the ruling, also granted the men a surety each in like sum.

He said the sureties should show evidence of two years’ tax payment.

“Each of the accused is granted bail in the sum of N100,000 each with a surety each in like sum.’’

The accused are Adetuwo Akinsoto, 48; Iroju Oseyemi, 50; Olamigoke Omoge, 50 and Duyilemi Omoge, 48.

The men, whose addresses are unknown, are facing charges of conspiracy, a breach of public peace, felony and parading themselves as

chiefs without lawful authority.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Sergeant Ayodeji Omoyeigha had told the court that the accused committed the offences on May 4 at about 11.00 a.m. at Igbodigo in Okitipupa area of Ondo State.

He said the self-styled chiefs conspired and committed misdemeanour against the prescribed traditional authority in the area, Oba John Ebinola-Ayeku, the Obagberume of Igbodigo.

The offences contravened Sections 18 (1), 249 (a), 517 and 516 Criminal Code, Laws of Ondo State 2006.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The magistrate adjourned further hearing till September 30.

AN Igando customary court in Lagos State has dissolved the 18-yearold marriage between Mr Jonathan Ubi and his wife, Rita, after Ubi accused his wife of abandoning her matrimonial home, which he described as an abomination.

Delivering his judgement, president of the court, Mr Hakeem Oyekan, said that he was convinced that the couple could no longer live together as the petitioner insisted on the divorce even after several interventions.

“The court has no choice but to dissolve the union in spite of the fact that the wife still claims she loves her husband.

“The couple can no longer stay together because the marriage has broken down totally, both parties are no longer husband and wife, they are free to go their separate ways.

“Both parties are to keep peace all the time, any violation of the order should be reported to the police for redress,” Oyekan ruled.

The petitioner, Jonathan Ubi, 65, a retiree, had filed a suit seeking for the dissolution of his marriage after alleging that the wife had committed an abomination.

“My wife committed an abomination by willingly abandoning her matrimonial home for four weeks to an unknown destination.

“In our tradition, it is a taboo for a wife, who abandoned her matrimonial home to come back. I cannot marry, nor have anything to do with her again.”

Ubi said that Rita had stopped caring for him and the children, adding that she had left everything to their maids.

“My wife is lazy, she cannot take care of her family, that was the reason I enrolled all my children in boarding school as their mother cannot take proper care of them.”

According to him, his wife recklessly mismanaged the business he

set up for her and she was asking him for more money.

He begged the court to dissolve his 18-year-old marriage as he was no more in love with her and was also not willing to live with a woman who had committed so many atrocities.

In her defence, Mrs Rita Ubi, 40, businesswoman, told the court that it was her husband that chased her from the house after threatening to bath her with acid.

“My husband chased me from the house. He said that I was irritating him and threatened to kill me by pouring acid on me if I refused to leave his house.

“So, at that point, I had no option but to move to our Church to stay while waiting for his temper to cool down.

“The elders in the Church begged him, but he said that he could not accept me back because I had committed an abomination by sleeping outside my matrimonial home.’’

The mother of three accused her husband’s family of trying to shatter her home by accusing her of fetish acts.

“My brother-in-law always accused me of using charm on my husband so that he will love only me and my children and abandon them.

“It is this in-law that instigated my husband to reject me after insisting that I was not a good wife.”

She claimed that she had always taken good care of her husband and the children, and pleaded with the court not to grant her husband’s wish as she was still in love with him.

Woman arraigned in Benin for allegedly assaulting man A 32-year-old woman, Grace Aruya, who allegedly assaulted a man, Martins Inalegwu, with the help of six men believed to be soldiers, was on Thursday charged before an Egor Magistrates’ Court in Benin City, Edo State.

Aruya, a resident of No. 15B, Emagba St., off S & T Uselu Road in Benin City, is facing a three-count charge bordering on assault and abduction.

According to the prosecutor, Osarentin Ogie, the accused committed the offences on September 15 at Inalegwu’s house.

“The accused brought six men, suspected to be soldiers, to beat Inalegwu, who eventually escaped from them.

“The men, who were armed with guns, had threatened to kill him.

“They also took away his 16-year-old son to an unknown destination, thereby making people living in the compound and the neighbourhood to flee,’’ he told the court.

The offences contravened Sections 86, 249 and 351of the Criminal Code, Laws of the defunct Bendel State, 1976 as applicable in Edo. The accused pleaded not guilty.

The Magistrate, Mr Alfred Iyoha, granted the accused bail in sum of N20, 000 with one surety in like sum.

31

Police arrest Indian national in Lagos over visa scam THE Nigeria Police have arrested a Dubai-based Indian national, name withheld, for allegedly procuring a Dubai visa using a Nigerian man’s name without his consent.

Sources close to the Federal Criminal Intelligence Investigation Department (FCIID) Annexe, Alagbon Close, Lagos, made the disclosure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.

The source said that operatives from the FCIID arrested Shazul after a petition by the Nigerian, Mr Ayodotun Babalola, to the police authorities.

It said the Indian, who runs an air cargo company based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Monday on arrival from Dubai.

“When the Inspector-General of Police got the petition dated August 19, 2015, he sent it through the DIG, FCIID to the “X’’ Squad Annexe, Lagos for investigation.

“The operatives had been on the trail of the suspect and others involved in the crime.

“After his arrest at the airport, he put up a call to the EFCC operatives, who after speaking with police told him to follow the operatives to Alagbon,” the source told NAN. A copy of the petition, made available to NAN, alleged that the suspect, the president of the company and others, used his international passport data page to obtain visa without his consent.

The petition indicated that they allegedly used his name to obtain the visa and held on to it to prevent him from travelling to Dubai to transact his business with other companies.

“I am still being intimidated and my rights are being abused by restricting me from travelling to Dubai for business.

“This has cost me lot of breach of contract and defamation of character internationally.

“I am pleading with the police to help me to retrieve my visa and also stop them from causing harm to my personality and my family in future,’’ the petition said.

Speaking to NAN on the issue, the petitioner, Babalola said one of them was his business partner, adding that the relationship turned sour when he demanded for 49 per cent shares in the company.

Babalola said he was shocked when he attempted to obtain visa to Dubai but was told that he had earlier obtained one.

He said that after his investigation; he was able to trace the visa scam to one company.

“I applied for a visa to Dubai only to discover that my name has been used to obtain a visa without my knowledge. “When I contacted the company, they told me they have strict instruction from their client, (the suspect) not to hand over the visa to anybody even if the owner came until further instruction from him.

“Their plan was to ensure that I didn’t get visa to Dubai to do my business.

“I see my visa as my personal document and on that note I couldn’t travel because I was restricted.

“I had to petition the Inspector-General Police to complain officially to seek redress on the matter,” the complainant said.

Babalola said that currently, one of the directors of the company, who is also an accomplice, had been arrested in Lagos.

“He is currently under questioning by the police. There was a meeting scheduled for both parties by the police on Wednesday, September 16, and was at FCIID, Alagbon Close,” he said.

When contacted, the police spokesman at the FCIID Annexe, SP Achibong Asukwor, confirmed the arrest, saying that the Indian was released on bail on Monday night after questioning.

Asukwor said that the police had begun investigation into the matter.

When NAN encountered the suspect and his counsel who refused to mention his name at the EFCC office, Ikoyi, on Wednesday, they declined comment on the matter.

19

voxpop Human perspectives are diverse and various. Sometimes, view points are quite queer. ESTHER OMOTILEWA asks some Nigerians what they might do if one of their former lovers make a proposal to their brother or sister.

Saturday Tribune

19 September, 2015

With Kate Ani

08071080888

anikate92@yahoo.com

Can you allow your sibling marry your ex lover?

Falodun Idowu

Wow...what a question. I can, so far we didn’t have any sexual intercourse, I think I can allow my sibling marry my ex.

Lami Fearon

Shola Adetowubo

It doesn’t have any meaning. I will never allow that to happen. I will even be the one to spoil the marriage because the day i see them together is the day problem will start in the family. After I have had sex with her, my sibling will now do the same? It is not possible.

THERE are different factors that will influence that. Naturally I would say no. If I am convinced that they are actually meant to be together, then I won’t stop them. Even if we were married and there is no blood, it is not incest and they are not related in any way, and as a Victoria Ogunleye woman you might want to be jealous, but as long as I am happy and probably I have moved No, because I cannot allow my sibling on and married, I see no reason why your ex cannot marry. This is life and I won’t stop them to marry my leftover. It is not possible. from doing what they want.

Olofin Temitope

Obinna Sunday

YES. I will allow them get married. My sibling’s happiness matters a lot. So if he really loves my ex, there is no problem with that.

I can’t allow that to happen, she is my ex, and then something must have happened that we couldn’t carry on. There must have been something wrong which warranted a separation.

It is not possible. How will my ex marry my sibling? I will even be the one to spoil the marriage. Why I broke up with her was probably that she was cheating. And I don’t like people who cheat.

Adediran Tolulope

NO. How will you expect me to cope with seeing them together? I will be emotionally down filled with anger and hatred for both, especially if he was the one who broke up with me.

Olukotun Omolara

NO. So far we are sharing the same blood, we cannot share the same guy. It’s not proper.

Even in our culture, it’s not even nice. Since Emac Richards I have been in love with him before, then it IT depends on my sibling. If he likes is not proper for her to marry my ex. my ex, then I think it’s a go-ahead. The biggest problem is that I might not be Ayo compatible with my ex while she might No, because it does not make sense. There is be compatible with him. So it depends no sense in it. on whatever he thinks about my ex.

Wunmi Boluwade

Mrs Falola Sekinat

IT can never happen with me. I will not take that.

There is no problem. She can marry him since he is my ex if she is cool with Akpe Donatus that. Since it didn’t work out with us, NO. It is not possible. How will my ex marry they might get along. my sibling? I will even be the one to spoil the marriage. Why I broke up with her was probably that she was cheating. And I don’t like people Ikenna Ike NO, there is a reason why she is an who cheat.

Eniola Oyewole

I can’t allow it o. How will my sibling marry me ex? It’s a family issue I won’t allow it to happen.

ex. Good or bad, whatever may be the reason, we broke up. It was not working out so it is not going to work with my sibling. Seeing her every time will serve as a reminder to me. From past experience, for someone to be your ex, it may be because you are not good enough or the other person was not good enough. So putting your sibling in your situation may not be good.

Faith Dibie

It depends. If my sibling really loves the guy and my ex also loves her, there is no problem with that since they love each other and we are no more together, there is no big deal with that.

Bukola Adeniyi

Mrs Lawal

I can’t! It is not possible because I will be seeing more of him and I will not like that. I cannot make my ex my friend. That intimacy may be there and some people often fall in love back.

Tobi

I can’t allow it. So far it didn’t work out between us; definitely, it can never work out between them.

Olanike Lawal

AS for me, I don’t see anything wrong with it. If I am happily married, it’s okay by me if they tag along. So far he is okay and is ready to take care of my sibling; I don’t see what is wrong in it.

Costy YES. It depends on what caused the break up between my ex and I. If my sibling does not know about it, I can allow it.

It’s not possible. I will not allow them. I would have known his character and everything else that is wrong with him. That can only happen if I didn’t know they are going to get married.

20

Saturday Tribune

19 September, 2015

With Tommy Adegbite 0811 695 4631 tommyabijo@yahoo.com

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Flourishing flocks, famished families Interesting lives families of clerics live

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NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER

20 SEPTEMBER, 2015

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From left, Mrs. Nnenna Odizia, Secretary to the Managing Director; Mrs. Sanusi Aishat, Administrative Officer; Alhaji Abubakar M. Bibi, Ilorin Airport Manager; Mallam Sadiq Daba, veteran television broadcaster, presenter and Nollywood actor; Engr Saleh Dunoma, Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and Mallam Dahir Maázu, Personal Assistant to the MD-FAAN, during the actors’ courtesy visit to the management of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria in Lagos.

The CEO of Male Integrated Science and National President of Association Of Waterwell Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP), Mr Michael Ale (middle), on a guided tour of young Geo-Scientist students on intern and industrial training to a borehole drilling site during the launch of the Male Integrated EUREKA Project recently at Molete, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

From left, Alhaji Lamidi Odulawa, former Security Adviser to Chief Gbenga Daniel; the celebrant, Alhaji Rasaki Femi Odulawa; his wife, Alhaja Odulawa and Alhaji Taiwo Dele Tajudeen, during the 70th birthday celebration of Alhaji Odulawa in Sagamu, Ogun State, recently.

From left, Mrs Olusayo Ajani, Mrs Olusogo Abiola, Madam Deborah Oladeji, Mr Sunday Openiyi, Mr Kehinde Oladeji, Mr Oluseyi Obitade, Mr Taiwo Oladeji and Honourable S. Oluseye Obitade, at the funeral service of Madam Felicia Obitade.

Deputy Director, Public Affairs, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mrs. Maimunna Jimada; Director General, Mr. Emeka Mba and the Director, Public Affairs, Mallam Awwalu Salihu, during a world media briefing on the Digital Switch Over (DSO) in Nigeria, by the Commission, in Lagos.

From left, Bishop (Dr) Ade-George Adegbolagun, General Coordinator, Coalition of Civil Societies, Mrs Aderiyike Ojeyinka, Principal, Queen of Apostles Commercial Girls Secondary School, Oluyoro Oke-Ofa, Ibadan, Professor D.O.S Noibi; Executive Secretary, Muslim Union of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) and the chairman of the occasion, Pastor John Adedoyin, at the international day of peace, held at Queen of Apostle Commercial Girls Secondary School, Oluyoro, Oke-Ofa, Ibadan, on Thursday. PHOTO: ALOLADE GANIYU.

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19 September, 2015

A

T the mention of the sentence, “have you heard the news?” Nigerians who were old enough to be on the social scene in the 70s and 80s would easily connect with it as the popular track from ageless Jamaican musician, Jimmy Cliff’s vinyl.

Cliff had come to Nigeria to honour a musical engagement and flouted a clause in his musical contract. He was locked up by the police and as such, the birth of those provoking lyrics so entitled that scandalised Nigeria as a lawless land.

Pardon that opening digression. Let us discuss an issue which has agitated the minds of virtually every member of the middle and upper classes of the Nigerian society today.

A few days ago, this writer was at a social engagement and lo and behold, as usual, a beehive of hangers-on, gathered round him. Of course, they sourced dole-outs for survival.

As is usual at such engagements, some of the people present obliged them some crumpled naira notes while some literally indicated that they could go jump inside the lagoon.

The social radar indicates that while some Nigerians obliged hangers-on so as to fulfill religious obligations, some do so as to get the nuisances constituted by them off their backs.

Because Nigerians will always give, there is thus a migration of this class of persons to the havens of those assumed to always give to the needy.

While at the social event, a discourse ensued on how this begging culture has become a social nuisance in the Nigerian society and the need to nip the menace in the bud. Speakers after speakers at this informal dissection of this incubus argued for and against the menace. While some argued that times are hard at the moment and as such, nothing unusual in the perceptibly nauseating activities of the hangers-on, some submitted that it was an extension of the individuals taking up the functions of the Nigerian state in providing social wherewithal as a back-up for citizens who are feeling the pangs of the time. They, however, all wished for a society that takes into consideration the feelings of the people at the upper echelon of the ladder as well as those who occupy the lowest rungs.

Saturday Tribune

Saturday With

ayinla mukaiba ayinlamukaiba@yahoo.com

Have we all not become beggars?

This writer, however, submitted differently. Against method as his proffer was, the gathering at that place eventually agreed that in one way or the other, Nigerians were all complicit in the social dilemma of begging that has infiltrated us.

The submission was this. Admitted that the hardship in the Nigerian society is biting hard on a daily basis, individually and collectively, we can see ourselves in this menace at different levels of its nuisance. In other words, in our individual spaces of existence as Nigerians, the collective situation has turned us into scavengers, so much so that scavenging can only be said to operate at different levels or can’t you see scavenging in the scramble for appointments at federal and state levels?

The gradual collapse of the economy and the social paralysis it breeds have ensured that otherwise noble and proud Nigerians come down from their high horses to scavenge from others whose conditions are better off theirs. A few years ago, many Nigerians gladly announced that they could do away with government and its patronages and could exist on their own without getting involved in the putrid rot that landscapes government transactions. Gradually, it is becoming evident to this crop of people that the Nigerian government is like

a behemoth, a colossus if you like, straddling virtually all sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Even clerics have come to find out that the church and mosque can hardly survive without the intervention, covert or overt, licit or illicit, of government. that was why during the last elections, the influence of government on clergies became very incestuous. The lure of the lucre of Government Houses became too tempting, more than they could handle. They thus had to cave in to it. Private jets of supposed men of God became ferrying boats for suspected illicit exchanges between government agents and their cronies abroad.

What this writer is trying to drive at is that, never should we look down on those hangerson who, like pests, swarm on us for daily subsistence. Though it is by no way being advocated as it is a measure of the level of socio-economic disequilibrium in the society, what this writer is saying in essence is that every one of us is part of that social problem.

We also scavenge for existence at different levels of the ladder. As a result, many people resort to blackmail, using what they have to get what they need. Survival of the fittest becomes the order of the day as elbowing of one over the other has become the norm. Dignity of the human person is receding on a daily basis as it is not taken as an index. Nigerians who hitherto wore their dignity on their sleeves have called the bluff of dignity, throwing their indignity into the fray, regardless.

If you ask me, for the wellbeing of society, this is not desirable. This is why we find more and more people getting involved in criminal activities. The onus is on government to stop the drift by restoring dignity to the Nigerian economy.

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Victims of Ifo, Ogun State, demolition count losses

Chukwuma Okparaocha - Lagos

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ICTIMS of Pakoto community and its environs in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, whose houses were demolished two weeks ago are still trying to come to terms with the huge misfortune that befell

them.

The demolition, has left a lot of people homeless with their properties worth millions of naira destroyed.

When Saturday Tribune paid a visit to the affected community, victims of the demolition were seen going through the debris of what used to be their homes as they tried to salvage whatever they could pick from what remained of their belongings. In a short distance away were two bulldozers which had apparently carried out the demolition of the affected houses.

The houses were allegedly demolished the authority of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

According to information gathered the affected community covered a large expanse of land covering about 40 communities, including Ilepa, Iyana Cele, Onihale, Ilogbo with over 5000 homes, which were all said to be illegally acquired by the residents.

The demolition exercise, it will be recalled, had caused massive gridlock on the Abeokuta-Lagos Expressway for about two hours as the affected residents barricaded the expressway, while chanting anti-government songs. Some even made bonfires to express their displeasure.

“Nobody is doing anything about this. Is this the change we voted for?” one of the protesters had queried.

But many of the affected residents maintained that they were unaware that the land in question had been acquired long time ago by the Federal Government, adding that they bought the land from a certain Fabowale family.

At this juncture, it is worth stating that the house of Baale of the community, Ismail Oladipupo Fabowale, was also pulled down.

Narrating his ordeal to Saturday Tribune, Mr Dejo Ashaolu, a landlord at Ifo whose seven-year old house was pulled

apart by the furious metallic fangs of the bulldozers rolled in by the Ogun State government, revealed that when he was buying the land on which he built his ill-fated house, he had no idea he was venturing into what would become a ‘war zone’ in years to come.

“I had no idea the land I was buying was close to a government property. If I had known I wouldn’t have ventured into it, because anything that has to with the government is a war zone, now I have lost my house which was the only meaningful investment that I had,” he lamented.

Another affected resident, who identified himself as Abass Muda, insisted that many of them were caught unawares, despite the fact that he, like his colleagues, was totally oblivious of the fact that his house was sitting on a forbidden territory.

“After a short notice of eviction that was given to us, we woke up only to find bulldozers stationed in the neighbourhood. All I could save from my house were just a few of my belongings.

Now I am squatting somewhere with a friend while my family is elsewhere,” he said.

Also speaking with a voice full of grief, another victim, Mr. Olumide Obakeye, in a chat with the media, claimed he spent over N6million to erect his building. He also said that he had no idea the land belonged to the Federal Government.

Obakeye, who said that he relocated from Lagos State to Pakoto in 2013, chided government for its failure to listen to their pleas despite several meetings with both the representatives of LUTH and the state government.

According to him, almost everybody in the community had taken part in the Ogun State’s Home Owners’ Charter scheme after assurance from the state government that the scheme would regularise everything.

It was also gathered from some of the other affected residents that many people had landed in the hospital from shock when the demolition team’s bulldozers commenced the demolition exercise.

While this claim could not be verified by Saturday Tribune, no fewer than 30 affected victims were seen crying and raining abuse on the government which they claimed had

Saturday Tribune

The elite are the dirtiest

—Alabi Joseph, GM, OYOWMA To clean up Oyo State capital, Ibadan, the largest metropolitan Nigerian city is an uphill task. Alabi Joseph, who is the General Manager, Oyo State Solid Waste Management Authority (OYOWMA), tells TAIBAT ALIMI some of the challenges and further explains the involvement of the private sector in waste management.

THERE is something suspect about your policing system; in spite of your best efforts, we still find heaps of rubbish dumped by roadsides across the state, what can you do to curb this?

Those deviants who still engage in indiscriminate dumping of wastes and refuse do this at late hours of the night when people or law enforcers are not likely to see them. They are still riding their luck but I tell you the moment we lay our hands on them, they will surely face the wrath of sanitation law.

Perhaps we should remind you that the disposal trunks distributed across the state are no longer there, so what is the option open to people?

We have moved from government service to Private Sector Participation (PSP) in waste collection management so as to ensure that waste generators are responsible for their waste. You must pay for what you generate. So what is seen now is that the government still subsidises the generation by removing the wastes from the roadsides until the time when we would be having full privatisation. By then the government will finally withdraw from collecting wastes and thereafter regulate the activities of PSP operators.This withdrawal cannot take place now to ensure that the environment is kept clean and sanitised.

Meanwhile, the excuses people give that you can not dispose your wastes because you can’t find the trunks is untenable. If I may ask, if you get to a bus stop and can’t find any transport, does that mean you have to turn the bus stop shed to a vehicle and ride it anyhow? The trunks are no longer there because waste management is about to be privatised and until the operators take over, we at OYOWMA will continue to carry the wastes because there should not be a vacuum or else we create a health crisis. In the meantime, we still insist on 100 percent compliance and day and night we distribute manuals specifying operations, prohibitions and penalties.

brought hardship into their lives.

But when explaining why the Ogun State government had embarked on the ongoing demolition of illegal structures in Ifo Local Government Area of the state which actually began many months ago, the state government had last year said the development was necessary to pave way for the construction of a medical facility for which the land had earlier been allocated.

Speaking through the then Commissioner for Urban and

I had no idea the land I was buying was close to a government property. If I had known I wouldn’t have ventured into it, because anything that has to with the government is a war zone, now I have lost my house which was the only meaningful investment that I had.

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Physical Planning, Mr. Gbenga Otenuga, the government had stated that the demolition of the illegal structures in Pakoto community was not aimed at destroying people’s properties.

The state government explained that over 2,000 hectares of land were initially allocated to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, but that with the intervention of some personalities, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, 270 hectares were exercised and allotted to the community.

But according to the government, some deceitful land speculators, had however, encroached on the land reserved for the health facility and sold plots to unsuspecting members of the public, who later erected buildings on them.

Otenuga said following the discovery, officials of the ministry served the developers contravention notices and demolition order as required by town planning laws.

He said, “We did everything necessary as stipulated by the law to stop them, having discovered that they were building on the land allocated for public use, but they ignored and refused to comply; if they had obeyed the law, this would not have happened.

“Government does not derive pleasure in demolishing properties but would not fold its arms and watch people disobey the law, particularly, in this case where the health facility, which will be of immense benefit to people living within and outside the state is concerned,” he said.

From your experience, which class of people is the most recalcitrant as far as the violation of rules of waste management and disposal is concerned?

Easy question! They are the so-called elite who have the resources to pay the monthly N1,000 fee for waste collection but opt not to pay. Rather than paying the private refuse contractors who will carry their waste twice a month, they prefer to load their cars and drive round the city only to dump their wastes just anywhere, including the roadsides. I don’t understand why paying N1,000 to offload a 200-litre capacity storage drum should count as a heavy tax. They are the group of people who criticise others but fail to obey simple instruction, co-operate with the government of the day and play their part in national development.

Still talking about the elite, have you ever been hindered by the powerful, influential people in the society whenever you try to mete out punishment to waste disposal offenders?

No, those that we had caught carried their own crosses. I don’t think any right-thinking person will intervene when a dirty person is apprehended. The policies in Oyo State are driven by Ajumose (all hands on deck). So far nobody has dared to save such violators from sanction.

In that wise, you must have generated a lot of income for the government from sanctions on offenders, how profitable is this venture?

Let me make it clear to you that fund generation is not the primary function of the authorities, but to instil the culture of cleanliness in the citizens.

We generate funds from people using our dump sites. We also have private refuse contractors who pay dumping dues on monthly basis, we have some industrial sectors like the BAT (British American Tobbacco Company), their wastes are properly taken care of at a cost, we charge the Nigerian Customs on seized goods disposed at our site. Then, we

receive fines from those who run foul of the waste disposal laws. However, we spend so much on the maintenance of our dump sites — we pay for the use of heavy equipment like bulldozers. We also invest on sanitation by fumigating. We have the responsibility of keeping our men safe and healthy Normally, there are kits given to them such as nose covers/ masks, gloves, raincoat, uniforms and protective boots. We also have health care given to them.

How regularly do you take enlightenment programmes to areas where mounds of dirts are generated?

Some of our vehicles are out on daily basis as we go to markets, hold meetings with schools, religious bodies, on campuses and hold seminars periodically. We invited all 11 local government directors of enviromental health services last September 7 to fashion out strategies for effective compliance.We would be having another programme probably before the end of September, which is assisted by the World Bank, tagged Stakeholders Forum, whereby religious leaders,market men and women, trade associations, landlord associations and everyone concerned interact, rub minds and suggest way forward.

How well have you been able to turn wastes into wealth?

The totality of the wastes we collect is mixed with certain plants that can yield other products which can be of good use to humanity. It has been discovered that waste can be turned into energy, gas, electricity, fertilisers organics. We also recycle some of the dumped materials to fashion out metals, footwares, buckets and so on. A project of such has just been flagged off at the Ajakanga in Oluyole Local Government Area which would soon be replicated in other places. What this means is that very soon, the raw materials which is the waste will become scarce as people would keep their dirts for sale. These days you find young men and women going through heaps of waste at the late hours of the night for reuseables and sell same to companies. By the time these outlets are sited in many places, waste generators will also make more money.

What are the logistics problems inherent in your job?

Everyday activities must have its own challenges but how these problems are managed to ensure that you actualise your goal is the most important. As engineers, we have to give solutions to problems because it is normal to have them as they come up.

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views.com

New Nigerian president, same old problems

By Ameto Akpe (foreignpolicy.com)

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HE dust has finally begun to settle. For Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, it was pixie dust, which enveloped and elevated him, along with the entire country, into an epic global spotlight that is only now starting to recede. The March 2015 presidential election marked the first time in Nigeria’s history that the ruling party stepped aside for the opposition, a story that graced the front pages and airwaves of major media outlets the world over. Buhari’s victory was framed as a new dawn for Africa’s wealthiest and most populous nation — a nation whose failure to curb widespread corruption and insecurity has been consistently blamed on the absence of strong leadership.

A little more than three months into Buhari’s presidency, it is still too early to say for sure what direction his administration is driving Nigeria. What everyone seems to agree on, however, is that he’s driving too slowly. Initial efforts to sanitize the oil industry and deal with pervasive insecurity suggest that the president is at least still focused on pursuing his main campaign promises. But the economy is in trouble, the ruling party is split into warring factions, and tribal tensions are brewing. If the first problem was inherited, the second two are at least partly of Buhari’s own making; his early personnel decisions have revealed that he is not entirely above the kind of transactional politics and ethnic favoritism that have been the hallmarks of previous Nigerian governments.

One of the president’s first orders of business was tackling the terrorist threat that contributed in no small part to his predecessor’s undoing. The Nigerian army’s headquarters was moved to Maiduguri, a Boko Haram stronghold in the northeast of the country, and the military’s top commanders were replaced — changes that some argue have helped turn the tide against the brutal insurgency. And there have been other encouraging developments: Better intelligence has helped the military foil potential terrorist attacks, rescue some of the civilians kidnapped by the terrorist group, and destroy a major bomb-making facility. Meanwhile, a five-nation regional coalition headed by Nigeria has succeeded in retaking territory previously controlled by Boko Haram.

Despite winning the new president plaudits, however, these achievements have done little to root out Boko Haram fighters and end the group’s reign of terror in the northeast. So far under Buhari’s watch, the body count has continued to rise, despite continued assurances that the military is winning. At least 1,000 people have

reportedly lost their lives in terrorist attacks since the president took office in May, according to the Council on Foreign Relations’ Nigeria Security Tracker. Meanwhile, many of the individuals captured by the army on suspicion of being Boko Haram militants have ended up having no affiliation with the terrorist group. The military has also come under fire for massive human rights abuses, straining relations with Nigeria’s international partners.

Buhari’s efforts to rout out corruption have also been a mixed bag so far. In August, the president appointed a new management team for the oil industry, which reportedly loses billions of dollars annually to fraud, theft, and mismanagement. Recouping these losses would give the government a much needed revenue boost and stimulate the Nigerian economy. Yet the new administration has yet to articulate a clear economic and financial policy, a shortcoming that some analysts have attributed to Buhari’s delay in appointing a cabinet. For his part, the president claims he is still searching for men and women worthy of ministerial posts, a task he has described as difficult because so many qualified Nigerians have been “compromised.” “We have people, educated and experienced people, but everybody seems to be working for himself on how much they could get away with as soon as possible,” Buhari said in July.

This excuse has met with mixed reactions from a populace that is already impatient with Buhari’s delays, and could very well cause the president some serious political

headaches if he fails to identify some “uncompromised” individuals soon. Not only have his comments had the unfortunate effect of reinforcing the global misconception that Nigerians are mostly crooked, but the president has also set his potential cabinet picks up for an unprecedented degree of scrutiny from the opposition, which will be all too happy to point out when these officials fall short of the gold standard set by Buhari. As a result, the president’s appointees may end up spending more time defending their integrity than pursuing the crucial task of moving Nigeria forward.

Where Buhari has made appointments, he seems to be courting another source of trouble: charges of regional and ethnic favoritism. Key government positions — including the administrative head of the Treasury, the chairperson of the Independent National Electoral Commission, and the head of the Department of Petroleum Resources — have gone mostly to individuals who, like the president, are northern and Muslim. So far, of the 25 federal appointments he has announced since taking office, only six have gone to people who are Southern and/or Christian. In a country where ethnic tensions are always close to the surface, reactions have been predictably explosive. In southeastern Nigeria, the region that sparked the Biafran war in the late 1960s, calls for secession have again intensified as a result of Buhari’s perceived regional bias.

The president’s own rationalization for appointing more northerners has done little to assuage such fears. In a recent interview with the BBC’s Hausa-language service, Buhari admitted that his appointment choices had been doled out as rewards to those who stuck with him through the tough times, noting that this was the nature of Nigerian politics.

“I have been with them throughout our trying times. What then is the reward of such dedication and suffering?” he said. The president was not wrong about the transactional nature of the system, but many were surprised to hear him explicitly endorse it after vowing to change the culture of nepotism that plagues every sector of Nigeria’s government. Buhari swept into power with lofty promises to clean up the country’s corrupt political system. How could it be that he was already contributing to the mess?

Buhari’s no-nonsense demeanor and claims to the contrary notwithstanding, it seems that his presidency will likely feature a lot of business-as-usual. And while he has promised to unveil a cabinet before the end of September — laid out like some sort of early birthday present ahead of the country’s 55th Independence Day celebration on Oct. 1 — his delays and willingness to dabble in cronyism may have already squandered the wave of goodwill and optimism that accompanied his election.

‘I’m bald and I’m not anyone’s dad’: Dealing with balding at a young age

By Adeoluwa Atayero Imagine this.

You wake up one morning and you go about your daily morning routine as you have always been doing. You shower; you get dressed and get all set to go about your day. Then on your way out, you take a glance in the mirror only to discover that your hairline is not where you left it last night. As humorous as it sounds, this is a grim reality that many men face. This is a syndrome called balding. The case of balding and men is nothing new but traditionally, it is a condition that has been associated with middle-aged men or older men. Increasingly, however, more and more have been found to experience the balding condition.

As one can imagine, this might be disheartening for many of them. Truth be told, balding is like any other body development. Being tall at a young age, having a deep voice at an early age, having a muscular physique at an early age and becoming bald at an early age are all signs of growth. They can be caused by inheriting the gene from a parent or because of the diet that the particular man is accustomed to. Either way, it is a sign of development. What sets balding apart from the other development is socialisation.

All around the world, across different borders and cultures, hair among men symbolises strength, masculinity and virility. A hairy man is a youthful man that epitomises masculinity which is synonymous with being attractive to the opposite sex. Whether or not these perceptions are true

is irrelevant because it is what we grow up to learn. This is why in the advertisements for hair growth products for men, there is always a woman messing around with the man’s hair, passing a subliminal message that is all but discreet.

Growing up in a society that places such an essence on hair, for young men who lose their hair at an early age, see balding as a source of shame. It is true that are less afraid of being seen as being of an older age than women, however, balding is a clear exception. It is an aspect of that ageing that many find attractive and every youth want to appear youthful. In recent years, the number of youth men that have reported causes of early balding has increased significantly. According to MoyoClinic.Org, the causes of early balding has been noticed to be majorly stress and inherited genes. Other minor causes include dietary choices, chemicals that hasten or cause balding.

Whatever the traits, early balding seems to be a trait to be identified with this generation. How exactly do these young men deal with this untimely ordeal? They ignore it.

Many of them don’t admit it’s a problem that they have.

This is because before balding becomes obvious to the people around you, it has been obvious for months, sometimes years, to the person who is going bald. Although it might appear to have come out of nowhere to family and friends, balding is a process that begins for a while before it begins to manifest. Those who don’t ignore the situation admit to start looking for remedies and alternatives to balding. They start buying creams and discreetly make enquiries about how to deal with the impending ordeal.

They run into a problem at both ends because firstly, ig-

noring the problem all but worsens it. This is because when the balding begins to manifest, he is more likely to suffer from lack of confidence and low self- esteem.

The young men that make enquiries about remedies for their situation also run into a dead end. This is because most of the medicine and creams that help prevent or reverse balding are made for men older than they are.

Using such potent medication or creams at such a tender age would have adverse effects on them later in life. Their side effects such as low sperm count and irritation; not to mention that the medication and creams require a lengthy amount of time to show a bit of transformation.

Another alternative that these young men have is the expensive option of surgery, which comes with its own risks and is less than affordable. So for the many young bald men out there, is there any real cure?

The answer is time. Is there a cure to your baldness if you have thousands to spare? Yes. If you don’t? Not quite. Is there a cure to that fear and lack of self- esteem you feel whenever you see the receding hairline in the mirror or pictures? Yes. Shave it off. It might not be the cure you have in mind but it’s the one that works. The main fear that many of these young men have is actually quite vain. They fear that they will not appear as attractive without a head full of hair. What they fail to realise is that no matter how be ridiculous or unattractive that they might appear with a shaven head, they would be doubly ridiculous or unattractive with a scanty head of hair.

Atayero, a student of Bowen University, Iwo, is an intern with the Saturday Tribune.

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Oluchi was brought to us dead —UNILAG Medical Centre

Naza Okoli and Newton-Ray Ukwuoma — Lagos

S

INCE the death, last Tuesday, of Miss Oluchi Anekwe, a third-year Accounting student at the University of Lagos, the university’s Medical Centre has remained the subject of widespread criticism and ridicule.

Both the students of the university and members of the Anekwe family have insisted that Oluchi who was rushed to the Medical Centre in a taxi was alive at the time she arrived the hospital, and would have in fact survived had the medical officials attended to her promptly.

“Oluchi was still alive by the time she was rushed to the Medical Centre of the school, but the doctors refused to attend to her until they saw her identity card and confirmed that she was a student,” Oluchi’s sister, Nkem, told the Punch last week. “The most shocking part was that when I got there, Oluchi wasn’t even placed on a bed; they had wrapped her body and placed it on the floor. I told the doctor that it was wrong for them to have done that because sometimes the person could still be alive at that point. It was an indirect statement from them that nothing was done to save her life… Oluchi was brought to the Medical Centre alive, but she died because they refused to treat her.

It’s a shame that an ordinary school ID card would be more valuable than the life of a human, a promising young lady.”

Also last week, a student who identified herself as Damilola told Saturday Tribune that medical officials at the Centre had done nothing to save Anekwe’s life.

“She could have been saved; they were asking us for her ID card at the Medical Centre. How could they be asking for her ID card when they saw it was an emergency? They were delaying us, asking us to go and get her ID card. Five minutes is enough to save a life; if she was not a UNILAG student, would we all have gathered there? And even if she was not a UNILAG student, is it not human life we are talking about?”

“We confirmed her dead” When Saturday Tribune visited the Medical Centre on Monday, the doctor on duty on the night of the incident was not available. However, the Acting Chief Medical Director, Dr O. O. Coker recounted their own version of the story.

“As soon as I entered the OPD, the reception, I perceived the smell of something burning,” said Dr Coker. “You could just imagine what had happened. I entered and met the doctor and the nurse. The girl was on the floor. I checked her and I noticed that she did not have any pulse. I realised that her feet and her perennial region had burnt. Of course, the doctor on duty had already certified her dead.

The next thing was to call the security personnel and the Dean of Students’ Affairs, who came in soon after and saw

On that day she was brought here by her colleagues, she was taken straight to the emergency room. It wasn’t until I got there that we found out her name. The doctor and nurse had treated her before we began to ask for her name and particulars.

the girl and took the history of what had happened. We recommended that they take her to LUTH, because we do not have a mortuary here…The point to note is that at the point she was brought here she was already dead.

“We operate a scheme for students under NHIS. What happens is that students pay for their medicals with the school fees. Once a student pays school fees he or she can receive treatment from the medical centre. Once it is emergency, we treat them without opening a card, unless they have a card here. They are supposed to register here.”

Coker also described as untrue reports that “valuable time” was wasted before attempts were made to save Anekwe’s life. She said questions about her identity were asked only when they had ascertained she was dead.

“On that day she was brought here by her colleagues, she was taken straight to the emergency room. It wasn’t until I got there that we found out her name. The doctor and nurse had treated her before we began to ask for her name and particulars. It was then we started asking her friends. We did not know who she was before she was admitted into the emergency ward. She had already been certified dead.

It was when I came in I began to ask for her particulars. It was when we got her details. It was said in the papers that we were asking for her ID card. The girl was brought in by a crowd of students! I do not know where we went wrong.”

If she was dead before she was brought to the Medical Centre, why would the students who were there claim she was alive?

“There was no way they could know for sure that the girl was dead,” Coker said. “They are not medical personnel.

We know what to look for to certify her dead. From what I heard, she was lying on the place of the incident for some time. We did not know for how long she had lain there.

She was not brought in immediately the event happened.

When she was brought here, the doctor on duty said they started CPR on her, even after they had noticed she wasn’t breathing. They did that for seven minutes before they certified her dead.”

“She could not have survived it” Other medical officials who spoke with Saturday Tribune on Monday said they were displeased by the manner in which the story was presented in the media.

An official who did not wish to be named said there was “no way” Anekwe could have survived that kind of accident.

“There is no way a high-tension cable of that nature could have spared her life,” the official said.

However, Mr Sade Oba, an electrical engineer and Managing Director of Fosad and Sons Electrical Engineering, Surulere, Lagos, told Saturday Tribune on Wednesday that it was a “fifty-fifty chance”.

“It depends on the voltage,” Oba said. “If the cable is high-voltage, then it would have been impossible for her to survive it. It also depends on what she is putting on – I mean, her footwear. And then it depends on the spot of the accident – is the area wet, or dry? These are the things to consider. So, it is a fifty-fifty chance.”

Liability The question as to whether any person or organisation should be held responsible for the tragedy is yet to die down. Both the Federal Government and the power company have set up panels to investigate the accident. Only on Tuesday, the University of Lagos management set up its own committee and charged it to report in seven days “the remote and immediate causes” of the accident and the eventual death of Anekwe.

Even though the family of the deceased have reportedly stated they are not interested in pursuing the matter legally, many people still believe steps ought to be taken to ensure that such an event does not occur again.

“Yes, clearly, someone is liable for the girl’s death,” Lagosbased lawyer, Emeka Ugwuonye, told Saturday Tribune when contacted on Thursday.

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ntertainment News

Society Gist

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with oan

Newton-Ray Ukwuoma

newtray2002@yahoo.com 08052271251

Celebrity Interviews

BoI visits Kunle Afolayan’s movie set —P32

Foluke Daramola to release “My blood” movie —P33

...As 2face clocks

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Omionawele

jistwtjoan@yahoo.com Twitter:@joanbajojo 08054682201

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‘I am not sure I like being famous’ Continued from pg2

What is your take on looks?

I like who I like. I don’t really pay attention to looks. I can be with anyone who appeals to him. But I am mostly not attracted to light skinned guys. No offence. I don’t want albino children, because I am really light skinned. (That is a joke.) Basically, I like who I like. As long as the person catches my attention.

scenes. These are the things I have made up my mind not to do even before I signed up for acting. And I have been able to stick to it.

Someone said choosing roles may make an actor less versatile, do you agree?

I don’t think it affects me on that level.

If I can do other things and decide not to do a sex scene that wouldn’t make me less versatile. I think everything comes together for the good of the production.

I am only one actress. What I can’t do, other people may be willing to take it up.

I don’t think I am called to do everything.

I don’t really pay attention to it. I know it comes with the job.

It is inevitable with acting. But I don’t know whether I am a fan of fame. You could be famous with a dollar in your pocket. When fame and success go hand in hand then you can say you are getting it right.

What do you have to say about method acting?

I try not to put myself in a box when it comes to acting. Sometimes, people are like, ‘Oh, you are not doing method acting’. But I do what I feel is true. With acting, it has to be true. There is no wrong, no right. If I have to be a drunkard that sits down and says nothing, I have to make that true. People should relate to that kind of scenario. If you are going to make a choice make sure to stay true to it.

What do you expect of producers for the rest of the year?

I would like producers to give me a role that is the opposite of what they think of me. If you think I could play a housewife, then give me the opposite role. I want to be challenged. I want people to see I have got a lot more stuff. Give me a chance.

Give me the opposite of what you think I can do.

What have you been doing lately?

I have done a couple of movies and a TV series. MTV Shuga season 4 is coming out. I played a character called Sheila.

‘Falling’ is coming out this September.

I am really excited about it because it is going to be the best love movie of 2015.

I have another movie called ‘Couple of Days’. ‘Gidi Cops’ is another movie I am also excited about.The character I played is like no other character I have played.

How do you handle fame?

I don’t really pay attention to it. I know it comes with the job. It is inevitable with acting. But I don’t know whether I am a fan of fame. You could be famous with a dollar in your pocket. When fame and success go hand in hand then you can say you are getting it right.

Can you take a commercial bus?

No. I don’t like buses generally. That is the truth. I don’t want to pretend I am that down to earth. I have not been on a bus since I came back because I don’t need to. BRT is a great means, but I don’t need to.

How was growing up?

Growing up here was great. Some of my youngest memories were made in Nigeria.

I went to Corona. I was a bit of a tomboy.

But my formative years were in the UK. I have been away since I was fifteen years.

My dad is a retired soldier. I am a dad’s girl. My mom is Yoruba. She is a pastor in Redeemed Christian fellowship in the UK. I am the last kid of three children.

God is my personal person.

What is your opinion on marriage?

I think marriage is a beautiful thing. Finding the right person is always a source of joy. I am a fan of marriage. It is like the start of a new adventure. I believe marriage is an amazing thing. It is something I am really looking forward to in the future.

What makes a man a possible fit for your ‘Yes’?

He doesn’t have to be perfect, but his relationship with God has to come close. I have to see that his relationship with God is important to him. He has to be someone that is completely original. I do not want to be with someone that is like everyone else. I like someone that is very comfortable in his own skin, someone that is very playful, someone that makes me laugh, someone that is like my guy “my gee”. Somebody I can talk to about anything.

32 entertainment

19 September, 2015

Foluke Daramola shoots ‘My Blood’ movie

By Joan Omionawele and Newton-Ray Ukwuoma

N

OLLYWOOD actress, FolukeDaramola, is currently shooting a new movie titled ‘My Blood’. The movie will continue the campaign against rape and teenage life in Nigeria’s commercial city when released.

According to FolukeDaramola, who had relived her rape experience in an interview with a popular magazine, ‘My Blood’ is more like a guide to parenting and the teenage world”.

The multimillion naira movie, which is set in Lagos and directed by TokaMcparor, stars Akin Lewis, Bukky Wright, Iyabo Ojo, Wale Akorede (Okunu), Lateef Adedeji and others.

In spite of the huge Yoruba cast,

NBA to join forces with Nollywood to end piracy THE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has intimated the Nigerian movie industry of its willingness to collaborate in the fight against one of the biggest problems bedevilling it – piracy.

As it stands, piracy may soon be over going by the resolve of those in the judiciary, if “the laws that

combat piracy and the penalties for the accused are stiffened,” NBA said.

At the association’s 55th national conference held last month, Mr. Augustine Alegeh, president of the association elaborated on the need for the war against piracy to be spearheaded by all industry stakeholders, namely the law enforce-

ment agencies and the Federal Government.

“The entertainment sector is key to the growth of any nation. The NBA will get more lawyers to be interested in the entertainment sector and they will be trained on ways they can provide legal services to help facilitate a good collaboration between movie makers and lawyers,”

he said.

Jim Iyke, Ini Edo, Nse Ikpe Etim, others make GIAMA nominations list THE nominations list for the 2015 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards (GIAMA) which will be hosted by comedian AY Makun, and presented by PEM Offshore, will take place on October 17, 2015 in Houston, Texas, USA. GIAMA awards, which celebrate the very best of African entertainment and rich culture through filmography, has disclosed that this year in African cinema, directors and producers, beloactors showcased outstanding performances in several captivating stories, have continued to wow their audiences.

A number of films submitted for nomination brought attention to issues such as violence against women, HIV, the fight for love, their country and survival.

Most of the submissions this year came from Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Canada, and the United States. Watching several of the films that were nominated this year will remind viewers of the importance

the Yoruba actress says the movie will be done in English.

Saturday Tribune

AMAA Awards to take Nollywood on international recognition path IN continuation of recognising excellence of professionals in the African movie industry, Africa Movie Academy Awards, popularly known as AMAA, has announced that the 11th edition of the awards ceremony will take place at the city of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, on September 26.

Founded by Peace Anyiam-Osigwe and run by the Africa Film Academy, since the inception of AMAA Awards, Africa’s films and stars have been gaining international recognition. The awards are aimed at honouring and promoting excellence in the African movie industry as well as uniting the African continent through arts and culture.

The award presentation is attended by numerous media representatives, celebrities, politicians, journalists, actresses and actors from all across the world. The AMAA awards are widely considered to be Africa’s most important film event and the most prestigious film award in Africa.

Some of the nominees for this year’s awards include OC Ukeje, Paul Obazele, Hilda Dokubo, Kunle Afolayan, Lesliana Pereira, Queen Nwokoye, Juliet and Romeo, Joselyn Dumas, Ini Edo, Kemi Lala

One of the AMAA nominees, OC Ukeje

Akindoju and Damola Adedoyin.

According to the organisers, “One of our greatest strengths is the fact that we have got impartial jurors, who take their time to see all films being submitted. Over 800 films were submitted and that goes a long way to say every nominee is already a winner. AMAA celebrates the best.”

Davido to perform new songs at London concert HKN label crooner, David Adeleke, alias Davido, has set aside the September 25 concert in London as the time and place to perform new songs from his upcoming album, Baddest.

Davido made this disclosure recently in an Instagram post. The Gobe master, who had twice postponed the album release date, has promised his fans

of no further delays. But he has refused to name a date for the eventual release.

However, a source said that the official release date may be this week.

Meanwhile, Atlanta, US -born Davido made a visit to his hometown in Ogun State recently wherein he promised to rejuvenate his music influence in the coming year.

Dj Cuppy rounds off 8-nation tour in South Africa in grand style AFTER eight stops in eight

of patriotism and belief in a just world, while some of the other films nominated showed the unrelenting human spirit that fights for self-preservation and the truly complicated nature of love.

African films in the diaspora also produced mindblowing stories with unforgettable performances.

Nominated for best film are Stigma, ‘The Changer’, ‘Invasion1897’, ‘Ojuju’, ‘Oge’s Sister’, ‘After the I do’s “I DOs”, ‘Stalker’. For the best film (comedy), the movies include ‘Jack and Jill’, Head gone’, ‘Horn

free-day’, and others.

Jim Iyke, Majid Michel and Clem Ohameze also lead the list for the best actor award, while Uche Jombo, Adesua Etomi, Mbong Amata, Jackie Appiah and Nse Ikpe Etim are on the list for best actress award.

Other nominated artistes include Yvonne Jegede, Caroline Danjuma, Ayo Adesanya and Eku Edewor, who were nominated for the best supporting female act, while comedian Akpororo, Eniola Badmus and Lydia Forson were nominated for the best comic act award.

major African cities, Nigerian producer and Disc Jockey, DJ Cuppy’s‘Cuppy Takes Africa’ tour has come to an end following a soldout final show in Johannesburg, South Africa, last week.

The South African tour kicked off with a media tour to some of South Africa’s biggest media houses, including Trace TV and YFM Radio. The final show of the tour was held at Club Harem, Johannesburg, featuring DJCuppy’s signature ‘Water and Fire’ theme performance of the ‘Cuppy Takes Africa tour’ and guest appearances by Emmy Gee and Da Les. As part of her charity activities on the tour, which was powered by Guaranty Trust Bank and the Dangote

Foundation, DJ Cuppy and the Dangote Foundation visited the Dimphonyana (Little Gifts of Home) Orphanage where she served dinner to the children and made a donation to their welfare. The excited children in turn gave Cuppy a hand-made drawing of herself.

A press conference was held at The Capital Moloko,

Sandton, Johannesburg, to officially close the eightcountry African tour with DJ Cuppy, her team and sponsors.

After a successful launch in Nigeria, DJ Cuppy made her way through Senegal, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda before wrapping up the campaign in Johannesburg, South Africa.

33 entertainment

19 September, 2015

My hubby is the hottest man alive at 40 —Annie Macaulay Idibia

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with Basketmouth as the host and performances from top pop acts, including Burna Boy, Sound Sultan, Wizkid, Blackface, Seyi Shay, Vector, Timaya, Wande Coal, Omawumi and Patoranking.

Born in Jos, Nigeria, the musician, who is married to Annie Macaulay-Idibia, has six children from three women, including two girls from Annie. 2Face hails from the Idoma ethnic group in the southern part of Benue State in central Nigeria. He attended Saint Gabriel’s Secondary School in Makurdi, Benue State. He enrolled at Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu (IMT), where he did his preliminary National Diploma course in business administration and management. While at IMT, he performed at school organised shows and parties, as well as other regional schools such as the University of Nigeriaand Enugu State University of Science schools and Technology. He eventually dropped out to pursue his music career. While attending IMT,

2face Idibia started composing and singing jingles at the GB Fan Club at Enugu State Broadcasting Services (ESBS) in 1996.

Reports also had it that the musician nearly died at the age of 26 and survived gunshots from an armed robbery attack a few years ago. While he was still at his festac residence. He however owns an NGO and an exotic night club in Lagos name ‘Rumours’.

supported and very strongly for us to move to the next level. When we introduced the fund, we had three objectives; to ensure that people like Kunle who have shown

Funke Akindele, Kate Henshaw in ‘London Life, Lagos Living’ NOLLYWOODactress-cum-producer, Funke Akindele, alongside industry mate, Kate Henshaw, will join others on stage for a play titled, ‘London Life, Lagos Living’.

The stage play will be staged at the Muson Centre, Onikan, from October 1 to October 4. The play is from the book ‘London Life, Lagos Living’, authored by Bobo Omotayo. The play director, Kenneth Uphophowill, bring the presentation live and kicking. The stage drama scheduled for next month is a representation of The Make It Happen Productions. Kemi Lala Tunde Akindoju, who dazzled in Kelani’s flick, Dazzling Mirage says, “We

have worked hard on this production”. She is Make It Happen Production’s CEO. The play will be an adaptation of Omotayo’s book which captures the experiences of the Nigerian who lived in London and moved back home. “The adaptation is hilarious and entertaining, we cannot wait to have it on stage,” Akindoju adds, Other members of the cast include O.C Ukeje, Kemi Laka Akindoju, Chioma ‘Chigurl’ Omeruah, Lami Phillips, Patrick diabuah and Adebola Williams. The last show on October 4 will go as high as N10,000. Red carpet begins before the performance.

2. Oluchi (feat using Flavour) by Solidstar – Solidstar gets Flavour to collaborate with him on this smooth Afro- pop tune. The melody is the champion of the song because you will not be able to get it out of your head for days. Solidstar and Flavour are also to be commended for their expert vocal delivery as they complement the mid-tempo production perfectly. We can only hope that Solidstar has more tunes like this for us in the future.

3. Papaoutai (feat using Lindsey Stirling) by Pentatonix – Everyone’s favourite Acapella group is preparing to release their next record and the fans are restless. As we wonder what direction the quintet will take for this upcoming project, we take a look back to one of the winners from their last record. Papaoutai, a French song, was one of the better offering from their last record, PTX Vol. 3. Scott’s usual dazzling vocals, Kirstie and Mitch’s poignant harmonies, Avi’s Bass, Kevin’s awesome beat boxing added with Lindsey Stirling‘s amazing strings made this one of the more memorable tracks on the album. There is no doubt that whatever the group is cooking up will not fail to feature all these amazing elements again.

4. Werey Re by Base One – Base One comes for every rapper in the game with Werey Re but he is not full of just hot air. Base’s bars and flow shine through and announce him as a rapper to keep an eye out for. He flows in and out of verses like a pro and the producer must be applauded for the masterful beat switch that happens in the middle of the song. With a fitting music video to follow, this song is definitely one to be heard by all rap fans.

Kunle Afolayan and CEO, Bank of Industry, Mr Olaoluwa Rasheed (centre)

also planning to support the establishments of international quality movie studios in Nigeria. “At the Bank of Industry, we have decided that Nollywood should be

By Adeoluwa Atayero

1. Didn’t Know You by Karmin – The dynamic duo’s new independent album leaves us anticipating with this energetic track. Didn’t Know You is a burning ballad that is driven by an aggressive drum line and a bass heavy production. The song is a depature from the sound that the duo experimented with in their last record. With powerful vocals and assorted lyrics, this is a sound we can’t wait to hear more of.

BoI boss visits Kunle Afolayan’s movie set •Promises more support for creative industry IN a bid to boost the morale of award-winning film maker, Kunle Afolayan and his team this weekend, the Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr. Olaoluwa Rasheed stormed the popular Inagbe Grand Resorts & Leisure, Lagos, where he’s currently on location shooting his latest movie, The ‘CEO’.

The BoI boss was at the place to show solidarity as well as appreciate the level of progress that the award-winning filmmaker has recorded since he started shooting his latest film two weeks ago.

The bank is one of the major financiers of the project.

Briefing Mr. Rasheed on the progress he has recorded so far, Afolayan said the team will be moving to Nairobi, Kenya and South Africa to shoot some scenes soon.

He said his new film would lead a revolution in African cinema, adding “It is no longer about Nigeria, it is taking Africa to the world.”

Responding, Mr. Rasheed said the bank is proud to be associated with Kunle Afolayan, who he describes as a pacesetter in the movie industry in Africa. “We are proud that you are a pacesetter in this regard. You have done very successful productions in the past. We have no doubt that this film is going to be a blast.”

According to him, being the first beneficiary of the NollyFund, which the bank introduced recently to support film makers and to take the industry to the next level, BoI boss has no doubt that Afolayan’s new film will raise the bar in African cinema.

Speaking further, Mr Rasheed said while the bank is still working trying to actualise the community cinema project to boost film distribution in the country, BoI is

Weekend Playlist THE Weekend Playlist is a weekly music review featuring five songs suggested to our readers based on the quality of the songs. The playlist will feature five songs that come from both Nigeria and the West. The playlist offers a critical review of the songs and provides some background information, either about the creation of the song or the relevance of the song. It also gives our readers an opportunity to develop a wider palette for new music and remember some of the old ones they already know.

By Joan Omionawele and Newton-Ray Ukwuoma

OLLOWING the 40th birthday celebration of popular Nigerian musician, Innocent Idibia, also known as 2face, the musican laid out a few arrangements for the D-day, such as performances from Seyi Shay, Omawumi, Wande Coal and a host of other musicians.

Although 2face had told newsmen earlier that upon clocking 40, he will reduce his tours and shows, his wife, Annie Idibia, still thinks her husband has the wherewithal to continue, as the mum of two posted on her Instagram page: ‘This man (2face) has to be the hottest man alive at “40”.

However to make the day memorable, 2face created an official social media ‘Hash tag’ for the celebration which is tagged #Fortified. The event kicked off with a flag-off party, Red Cross Support Day, a biography entitled “A very good bad guy,” written by Ayeni Adekunle, the CEO of Black House Media and an All Star Tribute Concert at Eko Hotel

Saturday Tribune

that quality and helped in elevating African films to international standard, and secondly, we ensure we can support the movie distribution in a different paradigm.”

5. Orente By Adekunle Gold – If you haven’t heard this song you must be living under a very large rock.

Gold’s second major single shines through on all possible sides: Afro-pop production, Breezy vocals, catchy melody, ethnic lyrics. The song, a departure from Gold’s debut single, is a summer jams that is sure to be the new anthem for Nigerian weddings. Adekunle Gold perfected this sound so well, hopefully he continues to explore it on his debut album.

Ebuka Obi-Uchendu gets married October 3

ENTERTAINMENT personality, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, is set to walk down the aisle with his fiancée, Cynthia Obianodo on Saturday, October 3.

The couple, on Sunday, 13 September had their engagement/pre-wedding dinner at the Le Veranda Italian Cuisine.

The high class event which spotted celebrities and friends to suit the occasion, is however said to be the beginning of the nuptial ties by the lovebirds.

The couple got engaged earlier this year and will have their traditional wedding in the Obianodo family compound in Umueze Neni in Anambra State in September and the white wedding in October.

Obi-Uchendu, who recently got signed up as a Guilder ambassador, met his beautiful bride-to-be on Twitter five years ago. Cynthia Obianodo is the daughter of the CEO of Young Shall Grow Motors, Vincent Obianodo.

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19 September, 2015

Saturday Tribune

with Tunde Ayanda ayandaayotunde@yahoo.com 08034649018

Biola Alabi grooms for greatness F

Ayeni Adekunle writes book on Tuface Idibia ADEKUNLE Ayeni, the Chief Executive Officer of leading PR company, Black House Media,is rewriting the history of the entertainment industry in Nigeria as he writes the biography of singer Tuface Idibia.

The book, entitled ‘Very Good Bad Guy’, is written to commemorate the artiste’s 40th birthday.

The book presentation, which has been planned to coincide with Tuface’s 40th birthday celebrations in Lagos, is the first of its kind for a Nigerian pop artiste.

The book details the lyrics, views, quotes and shares the sad and beautiful moment of Idibia, who is believed to be Nigeria’s most celebrated pop artiste.

The writer, who was once a publicist to the musician said that he is delighted to compile the life stories of the artiste so that the coming generation can read and learn. He stated that Idibia is not only his friend, but also a source of inspiration and he believes the book will inspire a lot of people.

Idibia’s 40th birthday celebration has turned the social circle into a frenzy with different events and activities put in place to celebrate one of Africa’s greatest singers.

ORMER Managing Director of M-Net Africa, Biola Alabi is keeping something up her sleeve.

The woman of substance, whose exit from M-Net was a big surprise to many of her admirers, just announced the launch of her new leadership development project, Grooming for Greatness.

The Grooming for Greatness is a year long programme which will commence with a three-day on-boarding event targeting leaders across all sectors to share their experiences and expertise and also groom the next generation of African business leaders.

The subject to be addressed include, Immersive Leadership, Strength Based Leadership, Leading With Purpose, Building a meaningful career, Building Powerful Networks and Creating Influence.

Alabi is a Yale fellow disclosed that the forum is to cultivate an intuitive African programme for aspiring professionals and entrepreneurs that recognise the challenges and opportunities inherent in embracing greatness on the continent.

Kashamu, Apelogun, others to grace Ojude Oba Oru-Ijebu 2015

Frank Okamigbo unveils new schedule FRONTMAN of Papas Foundation and top hangout, D’Place by Papas, Franklin Okamigbo, has just released his plans for the celebration season.

Frank, who ranks among the country’s most popular club managers, enjoys huge patronage from celebrities who pick his hangout as their best night spot.

The club has hosted birthdays and anniversaries of Nigerian celebrities and brands and in the joy of the season has released its calendar which is set to define the last quarter of the year which usually calls for big celebration.

Kola Abiola steps out KOLA, son of the late politician, Basorun MKO Abiola, made an unexpected outing recently.

The quiet man, who favours a private life was recently a VIP guest at a high-profile night club in Lagos.

The man who bears the nickname

'Young Alhaji', an appellation that stock to him when he made the hajj a long time ago with his billionaire father, was among the people that attended club Quilox's recent rave.

The club owner, Shina Peller, was delighted when he spotted the businessman and he was all over

him while trying to make sure he had the best of everything.

Kola, who came in company of some few aides had the look of someone pleased by the services and he spent some time before dashing into the night for another appointment.

London stands still for Ekua Sagoe-Abudu THE high society in the United Kingdom creaked at the sound of the bells which announced the 50th birthday of one of Nigeria’s finest achievers, Ekua Sagoe-Abudu, who celebrated the milestone a few days ago.

Sagoe-Abudu, the proprietress of Greenwood House School, Lagos is the first child of legal icon, Chief Modupe Sagoe.

The birthday party was a familiar ground as the Lagos social crowd shifted base to London to witness and

partake in the fun of the season.

The celebrant, Sagoe-Abudu looking stunning in her diamond encrusted gown which sparkled, matched her elegance and caught the attention of the photographers, who struggled to take shots of the dress.

AS the momentum gathers for the 2015 edition of Ojude Oba in Oru Ijebu, the annual celebration, this year, is set to break the records as the most glamorous and colourful so far. This is because the cream of Ijebu social circle, the likes of Senator Buruji Kashamu; business guru, Alhaji Shamsudeen Apelogun and a host of others are set to grace the occassion.

Chairman of this year’s Ojude Oba Oru-Ijebu planning committee, Otunba Abayomi Bada said this year’s celebration is set to have in attendance the whois-who in the town and in Ijebuland as a whole.

Billed to hold at the Town Hall in Oru Ijebu next weekend, the celebration will also include a fund raising programme for the general development of the town. Oba Abdulrazak Olufemi Adebanjo, Yangunsen 1, the Oloru of Oru Ijebu is the Royal Father of the Day, while Senator Kashamu is the Chief Launcher, while Alhaji Apelogun is the Principal Guest of Honour.

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feature

19 September, 2015

Encounters with prostitutes: ‘I can’t marry a man who patronises prostitutes’ Our doctor-customers give us treatment

Saturday Tribune

We make money through them without interfering with their homes. We render a service and they pay us money. It’s all about their satisfaction.

We have no business with their wives.

With the call for the legalisation of prostitution by one of the biggest human rights group in the world, Amnesty International, focus is once again drawn to the life prostitutes live. OLAYINKA AJIBADE speaks with some prostitutes who shed light on their lifestyle and the workings of the world’s oldest profession.

statement?

Of course, we make peace and give happiness to men by satisfying their needs.

HEN the election of a president for the National Association of Nigerian Prostitutes was reported in the media, several reactions trailed the effrontery of these women who before now used to ply their trade in fear of social stigmatisation. The boldness of the new president, Jessica Elvis, who allegedly swore to have sex with Cristiano Ronaldo, a sex symbol and Real Madrid of Spain player, and a popular Nigerian celebrity, to show as her major achievement, during her tenure, was enough to arouse the curiosity of Saturday Tribune. Our correspondent sought out branch members of the association who spoke about their life in the world’s oldest profession.

For Folaji, her reason for joining the profession not only shocks; it is also ironical. According to her, “I was sexually abused as an adolescent, so I chose to engage in it to maltreat guys in return. I’m happy with what I do. Since I was introduced to this line of work, I’ve had no regrets because I want payback.”

Saturday Tribune met Double Tee at a photographic studio where an acquaintance was struck. Subsequently, it was agreed that a meeting be held at a bar in Owode-Igbona Area of Osogbo, Osun State, where those of her ilk usually frequent. Being an acquaintance, she was relaxed to open up to our correspondent and disclosed that she started out at Angle 90, Asipa-Igbona Area of Osogbo. The conversation with Titi (Double TEE) went thus:

Prostitutes want the trade to be legalised in Nigeria, what is your opinion?

They are seeking for power, government’s approval and protection. They are well connected with government officials and this gives them the courage to call for it.

W

How do you get customers?

Travelling to different places will allow you to meet different people; through them you can also be connected to others.

Also, connection comes through our mentors who are well connected to special people like politicians and other well known people in the society.

How many men do you service per day?

It’s not your business.

Are you a graduate of any of these tertiary institutions?

No. You are not educated at all?

Are you calling me an illiterate? There are thousands of people that have graduated from tertiary institutions that are also in this job. I dropped out of school when I no longer had a sponsor. I needed to find a way for myself to survive because I have siblings and I want them to go to school.

You receive different calls, mostly from married men, are they also your customers?

How can? Of course, not all the calls I receive are for ‘work’, but some are. We make money through them without interfering with their homes. We render a service and they pay us money. It’s all about their satisfaction. We have no business with their wives.

Are you in a relationship?

Not really. I have costumers that patronise me but I can

What are the dangers in this line of work?

This work is full of dangers; only those who survive are experts in it. There is the danger of contracting sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhoea, HIV/AIDs, especially if one indulges in unprotected sex. Then there is the most fearful danger which is the risk of being killed for rituals.

Many people have died while others have been struck with sickness because they were used for rituals. You must have heard many cases about this but the reality is that no one knows whether she will survive or not. assure you that I haven’t seen one who I can go into a relationship with because I need a man who will satisfy me with everything he has. I can never marry someone that patronises prostitutes.

Why not?

Keep that aside; you are just a friend.

Don’t you hope to get married?

Very soon, as soon as I meet Mr. Right.

You recruit young girls to join this business, why do you do such a thing when you know it is against the law?

It’s not by force; it is their choice.

How do you protect yourself from diseases?

We have doctors that are also our customers and they advise us. Some of us are also professionals in the medical line. We also go for check-up.

When some customers choose not to use condom, how do you protect yourself then?

I can’t allow such; I always insist on condoms. His money cannot buy me health.

Do you ever think of quitting?

Though many times I’m not happy with what I do and I even cry privately but I still have my siblings to take care of. I will quit whenever I see Mr. Right.

Do your siblings know your line of work?

No. How can I let them know? They would stop listening to me when I advise them over issues like this.

During an interview with Daily Guide after winning the recent election which was held on August 9, in Lagos, the newly-elected president, who was also secretary from 2002 to 2015, for The National Association for Nigerian Prostitutes, Jessica Elvis Oluchi, said ‘you are not to call us prostitutes rather, we are peacemakers,’ what can you say about her

Some consult herbalists for protection in this work, what can you say about it?

Some try to protect themselves from evil people while some use it to dupe their customers.

Saturday Tribune also spoke with a former prostitute: Can you share your experience with us?

Finding myself in that line of work is the biggest tragedy of my life. It is a work that one’s children cannot inherit and a story that cannot be shared with the next generation. Anyone that engages in it is like a drunkard who doesn’t know what she is doing until she is sober. When you are in it, you enjoy it, but it is not easy to quit because you are addicted to it. You might also have had sex with men who may turn out to be your spouse’s friends and you will always be uncomfortable whenever you see them with your husband. You will also live in constant fear of your spouse finding out about your past. Also, when you get married, you may not be satisfied with your spouse due to different tastes you have had. If not for God’s grace, you may still be cheating on your spouse by looking for another man who can satisfy you better than your husband. It’s not everyone that does the job that is happy about it but when there is no other means to survive, you are forced into what you dislike.

What can you say about prostitutes being victims of ritual killing?

Some weeks ago, a 23-year-old lady, Titi was murdered in Abeokuta, Ogun State and she was thrown off a moving Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) on the Abeokuta-Lagos Expressway.

Another was killed by a suspected ritualist and her body was discovered at Olomoore ditch, also in Abeokuta. Prostitutes face this all the time. I know those who engage in human rituals will not go scot-free.

What can government do as regards prostitution?

I believe government is at fault because education is so expensive that for some to meet up with paying their fees, they go into prostitution. However, some ladies are also greedy and they chase after money so as to compete with their friends and they make this money through prostitution.

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19 September, 2015

weekend cartoons

Saturday Tribune

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

Just a Laffing Mata

Signature

A man lost his chequebook and decided to go to the bank after two days to report. Here is the conversation between him and the bank manager.

Bank manager: But I warned you to be careful with your chequebook because anyone can forge your signature.

Man: I am not a fool; I have already signed all the cheques, so they won’t have space to forge my signature!

POLITICO

R e a l s t res s

You stop and pick up a nice hitch-hiking girl. Suddenly, she loses consciousness and you take her to a hospital.

This is STRESS. In the hospital, you are told that she is pregnant and doctors start congratulating you, thinking you are the spouse. You explain that you have just met the lady, but she starts saying that you are the father.

This is a BIG STRESS. You request for a DNA and it is done. Then the doctors tell you silently, that actually, you can’t be a father since you are genetically sterile.

This is a STRESS, combined with a relief. On your way back home, you remember that you have three kids.

That’s REAL STRESS. Please, what would you do to your wife when you get home?

FUNOLOGY

Pregnant lady A three-year-old walks over to a pregnant lady while waiting with his mother in a doctor’s surgery. “Why is your stomach so big?” he asks.

“I´m having a baby,” she replies.

“Is the baby in your stomach?” he asks, with his big eyes.

“Yes, it is,” she says.

“Is it a good baby?” he asks, with a puzzled look.

“Oh, yes. A really good baby,” the lady replies.

Shocked and surprised, he asks: “Then why did you swallow him?”

Internet fraudster: Veteran Nollywood actor and politician abandons Facebook for Instagram

37

19 September, 2015

seniorcitizen

Saturday Tribune With Kate Ani

08071080888

anikate92@yahoo.com

The secrets of my success as governor of Western, Oyo states —Jemibewon

Major General David Medaiyese Jemibewon (retd), was the last military governor of the old Western State of Nigeria and the first military governor of the old Oyo State. He reminisces his life and activities during a chat with AYODELE ADESANMI at his country home in Iya-Gbede, in Ijumu Local Government area of Kogi State. Excerpts:

P

EOPLE speak fondly of your legacies as the first military governor of the old Oyo State, what can you recollect of your time there?

To be candid, I never thought I was doing anything special. Whenever I am given a task to do; be it in the military, in politics or in social circles, I don’t like to disappoint myself, those who entrusted me with the task and those who know and admire me as a person. That is my way of life. Even when I returned to the barracks, I still pursued my task with passion and enthusiasm. Those who gave you a task to do must have assessed you and come to the conclusion that you were competent and capable. If you then get to the post and fail to perform, then you let yourself, those you came across on the job and those who recommended you down.

You encountered many challenges during the course of your duty, then as the military governor which one exactly would you now see as herculean , the most difficult to resolve?

Every project has its own problem, one might only be more problematic than the other. I’m not too sure now that I can point directly to any one during my time but from my studies and from what I saw practically, chieftaincy affair was a major problem in the old Western State, I don’t know what obtains now. Then, for every chieftaincy title, politics was involved, though people tend to believe that in military regime, there was no such thing as politics. That is not true. The only thing then was that there were no political parties, yet there were interests and those interests were as strong as a political party. Like I said chieftaincy affairs were a major problem. Close to that are land matters.

A classical example was the Owa of Idanre stool crisis.

It had been there before my posting and when I got there, I made moves for amicable settlement which to the best of my knowledge should settle and end the crisis. Yet, I still needed more effort as God intervened and helped me to resolve it. On two or three occasions, all the peace methods I adopted failed.

In one of such cases, I had to truncate a peace move I made when it was obvious to me that it was not going to make any difference.

There was also the Adesida chieftaincy title in Akure as another good example. That was during the time of Oba Adelegan Adesida. He was already on the throne before I got there, he ascended the throne during the time of General Oluwole Rotimi but he had not quite stabilised, but with my arrival as the governor, the issue was fiercely re-opened because they knew I was a novice, with a zero knowledge of the situation.

However, in order to resolve the issue we set up a panel of inquiry and at the conclusion of the sitting of the panel, many people thought we were going to dethrone him. In fact, that was what the panel recommended. But I wasn’t sent to the state to create problems or create disaffection among the people. Luckily he was on the throne before I got there, then there was no need for me to say he was no longer the Oba. God, at the end of the day, helped us to solve the problem.

The gentleman who some people were clamouring for happened to be a senior police officer in the person of Prince Adebobajo Adesida. I invited him same day I invited the man Continues pg41

38

politics&policy

19 September, 2015

Saturday Tribune With Saheed Salawu

0811 695 4643

yinkadejavu@yahoo.com

They say I’m stingy, but I spend more than any other person —Governor Dickson

Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State on Tuesday last week, formally declared to run for a second term of office. He spoke with select journalists on his ambition and opposition in the state. Deputy Editor DAPO FALADE, who was there, brings excerpts:

Y

OU just made a formal declaration for a second term of office where you said Bayelsa has no room for APC, what do you make of those who are seeking for the same office?

They are not politicians but selfish schemers. We are in this game serving the people, staying with the people. I don’t need security to go anywhere; I can enter into the market places. By 6.30am, I am down here for devotion. I see people, serve them till one 1:00am; attending to their problems. They say I don’t give money but I give more than any other person, but not for you to go and become the richest person. It is from my allowances; I cannot take money from the state coffers to share with you. Once they pay my small allowances. I travel and people will take as they come. I have done it in such a way that people can earn a living.

That is a problem we all have to solve in this country; this mentality we acquired under the military where appointees have to be contractors and you now become the richest man in your village.

We have to address that. It was not so in the First Republic. Yes, we were hearing of the 10 per cent syndrome but it was not as bad as what we have now. In this state, I will solve my problems.

During the declaration, former president, Goodluck Jonathan said Bayelsa State, under you, has maintained a low profile debt, in comparison with some other states, how were you able to do this?

The simple answer to this is discipline and prudence. I will never commit this state to any unreasonable indebtedness.

Some people simply don’t care. Look at a governor going for a re-election. What stops me from going to any of these banks and do some dealings and sign one loan or the other that the governor after me will be paying for donkey years.

That is what my predecessor, Timipreye Silva, did; he committed us to so much debts which what I want to repudiate because of the corporate integrity of the state which we have to maintain. Government is a continuum; if you have a bad leader, you have to live with the consequences of his actions.

So, while solving that problem, I don’t want to add to it.

Even the bailout the Federal Government is doing, you can see that Bayelsa is almost nil. In fact, we would not even draw anything out of it; the N1 billion or thereabout that we put there is to assist the local government councils that are owing some salary arrears. The only one I would have taken for the state is for the airport; we are building an airport and it is about 60 per cent done.

When is the expected completion date of the project?

It is going to be next year. They are doing the engineering works and it is a big project. I expanded it because I did not want just an airport that another governor will come in to start spending more money. We are not working on the airport alone; we have dualised road to it which is going to cost about N6 billion or N7 billion, with streetlights and other things.

It is also a cargo airport and it is going to be bigger than the Port Harcourt Airport. This reason is that Bayelsa is going to be the hub of economic activities. We have already started discussing with some foreign interests to land here. Once we become a gateway, flights will be coming from Lagos, Abuja to Yenagoa.

Those foreign ones will also take off. So, over-time, the place will become a beehive of activities; I think it will be busier than even the Akwa Ibom Airport.

Elections are not only by projects, what gave you the assurance that you will coast home to victory easily over your opponents on December 5, 2015?

They are not on the ground and their party is not on the ground in this state. If you look at the characters parading themselves as governorship aspirants, we know ourselves here. We don’t want to say certain things until a candidate emerges from APC; I don’t want to take on everybody. Let me know the person that will bear their flag. Then, we will say, ‘Bayelsans, you know me and you also know this person. Look at us’.

Fortunately, a number of them have held offices before.

So, if you are a senator, we will say let us look at this senator or a former House of Representatives member who lost a return ticket before and is now a candidate. Check

his background, check what the person has done. On those critical parameters, judge me and judge the person.

Apart from projects, people believe in me; they trust that I will serve their best interests. Just like [former] President Jonathan said, “Honourable Dickson cannot let the people down. Dickson does not betray.” Those are very far-reaching statements; it is

all about character. This is because a leader brings to office and denies office or gets defined by the office. A number of them are traders; they are schemers for public office. They are not seeking public office for service; man becoming a politician when he is given a big contract and when there is plenty money.

Of course, in a poor society like this, people will gravitate towards such a person. But that does not make that person to be someone who believes in service. But that is a wonderful platform for you to define yourself, if you utilised it well. So. If you run the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as an example, and you now come to me that you are now a candidate, then we will look at your records and we will ask, ‘why was this road not built?’; Why was this not done?’ If you say you want to fight poverty and create wealth, we will ask, ‘why didn’t you do that then?’ Those are the issues; when your budget was bigger than the budgets of nine states. Now the state doesn’t have money. Quite frankly, what we are managing is not even to satisfy the ego, personal expenses or to satisfy the lifestyle of a number of these people. They are top flyers. On the contrary, I am a homeboy, countryman governor.

Once they pay my small allowances. I travel and people will take as they come.

I have done it in such a way that people can earn a living.

That is a problem we all have to solve in this country; this mentality we acquired under the military where appointees Are you willing to engage any of them in a debate?

Not willing; I am the one calling for it! I am challenging them have to be contractors and you now and that will be an exciting debate to have. I cannot wait for become the richest man in your village. that; I cannot wait for a debate with the opposition on the key issues of security, key issues of development, key issues of how to open up this state for industrialisation, good governance, key Continues pg39

39 interview

19 September, 2015

Saturday Tribune

‘I don’t want to speculate about who looted the Alamieyeseigha loot’ ment is divine but we should pray for it and strive towards it. I believe that people who are in public office should work for the public. After my public office, I may work for myself. That is a different thing. But anyone in public office should not combine public service and then try to cut corners to satisfy private greed and avarice. So, I am very opposed to it and a third term or fourth term or whatever cannot change my views on it because that is one of the things I believe seriously in and it is one of the reasons I am in the public service.

Continued from pg38

issues of changing the governance culture and also on political integrity. I just cannot wait for the debate.

You are sounding so sure but are you not afraid of the federal might as a deciding factor in the election, especially with what happened in Akwa Ibom State recently?

Well, I am not afraid. My party has spoken; the PDP Governors’ Forum has taken a position on the invasion of the Akwa Ibom State Government House by DSS operatives. Personally, I believe that President Muhammadu Buhari will live up to the expectations of his office and ensure that the state agencies and institutions are not manipulated to serve partisan interest. That will be very unfortunate. We actually expect the president to call his party men to order. This is because we have seen that they are deploying their political rascality and crime as a political tool; criminality, brigandage, cultism and other criminal acts.

The president should not allow anybody to worsen the already fragile security in Bayelsa State and in the South-South region which we are managing. Any instability in Bayelsa affects balance of stability in the Niger Delta region and, therefore, affects the stability of the country. I believe the president knows that and I expect that, at that level, he should be alive to his responsibilities and encourage the security forces and the state institutions to do their best. We, on our part, we are a peaceful people; we don’t have any problem about that.

But we also know that the people of this state have the capacity to protect themselves when that time comes. So, this is not a state you think you can come to and write results; it does not work like that. This is Ijaw headquarters; such a thing cannot work here.

You are contesting for a second term after the post-Jega era. Do you have confidence in the present leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)?

You see, all these issues; the behaviour of state institutions and key functionaries in our democratic systems that are fair game for media comments and reportage. That is where your role as media practitioner comes in. It is our collective duty to call them to account; it is our collective duty to join hands together and ask them to do what is right.

I have a policy of always having confidence and belief in state institutions and in those who run them. A few weeks ago, you saw the position I took when a gentleman came to me and wanted to use an innocent brief that the state Commissioner for Finance gave to him to run down the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), a critical state institution. I told him, ‘you cannot use this state to serve that purpose. I don’t like that’. There must be respect for institutions and for those who run them. But we can always ask them to do their job. That is legitimate; that is fair game. For now, I am confident that the right thing will be done.

The matter is still generating interest, did Bayelsa State government receive a proceed for the sales of its properties that were confiscated?

No! I had clarified it with your editors [during the recent convention of the NGE]. This is an ongoing thing; it is not a one-off thing. At any time recoveries are made and it involves the diplomatic missions, it is not something that is just left to EFCC. If properties are confiscated and sold according to the law of the country where those properties are domiciled, then the appropriate investigating agencies and the justice department and the office of the Attorney General, as the case may be, will look at it, recover it and then, communicate the Nigerian Embassy. So, it is a very formal thing. The Nigerian Embassy will be involved and the High Commissioner or the Ambassador does the remittance to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

It is a government-government transaction and then, they will now pass it on to the investigating body, EFCC and the AGF who will now remit it to the affected state.

That has happened; I think the bulk of it was received by my predecessor, former Governor Silva and I don’t want to speculate about what was done with that fund. If you call it a loot, I don’t want to speculate about who looted the loot but that is how it was. When I came in, a smaller trench also came in but that was before this young man was instructed. We received, I think that one was from our High Commissioner to the UK, Dr Tafida. They processed it to the AGF and EFCC who remitted it. I declared that money in the course of my transparency, the month it came. Because it came in pound sterling; I think £4 pounds or thereabout. At that time, if you converted it, it came to a little over N1 billion. It is there in the state domiciliary account, prudently kept and prudently managed.

So the young man has not made any recovery from the time the finance commissioner gave him the instruction to recover.

But it created the impression that the state has so much money in the EFCC custody and they were just waiting for somebody

If you call it a loot, I don’t want to speculate about who looted the loot but that is how it was. When I came in, a smaller trench also came in but that was before this young man was instructed. We received, I think that one was from our High Commissioner to the UK, Dr Tafida. to demand. The commissioner told him, ‘look, my governor is doing so much. So, if you say there is money with the EFCC, this is the letter, go and bring it’. He got that letter and the next we saw was a court action and public hype. I said, ‘no, don’t do that’.

You came into office, embarking upon projects and some people are accusing you of not distributing money. If, peradventure, you get a second term, are you sure you will not deviate from this path and seek to recoup what you spent on your re-election as some of your colleagues are doing?

No. For me, what I have done and I have set out to do is the right thing and as long as I remain here, by the grace of God — my winning the re-election is not by peradventure; it is by the grace of God and with the support of the people — I believe that the right thing to do is to continue with the reforms we have started and which I promised in the course of my campaigns.

If you read my inaugural address, I promised a change and a paradigm shift in the governance culture where the resources of the state will be used for the development of the people and not to serve the greed of a few. I was direct in it; I told the people that they should prepare for this because this is what I am about.

In any case, a number of people knew me; they knew that if I was elected, things would be different. I believe that the second term is actually not the time to change but a time to consolidate so that we can make this change irreversible. That is actually the reason I am running for a second term — to make that change irreversible; to consolidate properly; to cement it. When I eventually leave, I don’t want to be somewhere and hear all these ugly stories about sleaze in Bayelsa. It sickens me and that is why I said transparency by law I could have done it by executive fiat, but I said let us build the institutions. By the law, I have signed, if a governor coming after me does not do so within three months, he will be impeached. That is institutionalising these things.

So, there is no question of going back or change. I am not in public office to steal public funds and we need to encourage that in this country. That does not mean you have to be a pauper. It just means that we should be contended. I know that content-

In the area of development, you have invested so much in education and this has manifested in the improvement of the state in WAEC examinations. What are your goals and agenda for the people?

In terms of education, I want to take over from Anambra State, even now.

I am happy that you are following the trend. We are moving very fast, but unfortunately, the economy has really slowed me down. Otherwise, I wanted to fast-track our educational progression in a revolutionary way of intervening.

I wanted to make boarding education compulsory at the Senior Secondary School (SSS) level. That has been my policy but obviously, if you have to make it compulsory, you have to subsidise which we may not, for now, be in a position to do. That is my pain and that is why we have spent the past three years building the infrastructures that were not there for boarding schools. If you go to all the local government areas, you will see, at least, three boarding schools — girls hostel, boys hostel and so on and in some of the schools, we have 500 and others 1,000.

In all the local government areas, we have spent about N25 billion doing all these things, building educational infrastructure because it was not there before. That should tell you how much were planning for the future of this state.

For me, that is key. If not for the financial situation, by now, we would have started that. But even without that (because of the other things involved), the literacy rate is going up and we are doing well and we are gradually coming up.

In this state, we pay WAEC fee; we pay NECO and we pay GCE fees and we pay JAMB fee for everybody since I took over.

That is why I declare a state of emergency on the education sector. We are not owing WAEC; we don’t owe salaries and we are not owing pensions. That was part of the reason the president (Jonathan) said (at the declaration ground), ‘this man is prudent. You guys may misunderstand him but I was president and I have been a governor, I know what is going on in the states. This guy is a good manager of resources’. So. That is where we are in the education sector.

In health care, local government areas, far flung did not have health facilities and don’t ask me why it was so.

But it will be wrong for us to see it and leave it that way.

So now, in every local council, we are building a modern health facility — a facility that can take about 50-60 bed admissions and they are fantastic structures, all about 90 per cent completed. But because they are hospitals, the building alone is not enough. We have to put in equipment; we have to assemble the manpower. For me, we have to build the linkages with the other facilities in the country and in the state. We are working on that.

When we get there, this statistics that we have been able to achieve in the education sector, we want to also have that in the health care sector, which is also very critical. That way, we would be reducing maternal mortality and we would now be in a position, after sometime, to be able to asses how we are moving up on that. That is the way we are going.

We also have a drug mart because we want to stamp out fake drugs. That was actually [former NAFDAC Director General] the late Professor Dora Akunyili’s concept — she came to me then. We are enjoying a lot of goodwill; we thank God, a lot of people are coming in to share ideas and I am open to ideas. So, when the late Professor Akunyili discussed this with me, I said, ‘why not? I can run with great ideas’. I don’t think any state in the South-South has that drug mart.

It has been completed; very soon, you have Pfizer, Emzor, Glaxo and all these pharmaceutical companies will be there. Government will have nothing to do with it; in fact, we will be collecting rents from them. Every drug that will on the market in this state must pass through that place.

We have an in-built laboratory; everything is set there and it will soon be commissioned.

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feature

19 September, 2015

Saturday Tribune

‘I was the breadwinner, now I beg to eat’

Millions face hunger in Nigeria’s north east —UN

Cameroonian troops deployed in the country’s Far North Region to battle radical Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram.

By Fragkiska Megaloudi and Jennifer Lazuta (IRIN News)

F

AMILIES driven out of villages, farmers unable to tend crops, food stocks of entire communities raided: Boko Haram’s impact on the people of Western and Central Africa lingers long after the rape and slaughter.

More than 5.5 million people living in conflict areas in Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad, nearly half of whom have been displaced due to ongoing attacks by the Islamist militant group, don’t have enough to eat or lack access to nutritious foods, according to the UN’s emergency aid coordination body OCHA. “These are people who have seen guys with guns show up in their villages and kill their [families], or have had their villages torched and then they’ve fled,” Toby Lanzer, OCHA’s regional humanitarian coordinator for the Sahel, told IRIN. “The impact has been devastating. They have no food. They’ve lost their livelihoods. They’ve been thrust out of their villages… and can’t get back to harvest.”

An estimated 2.5 million people have been displaced in the region due to Boko Haram since May 2013. For most, it is an extremely challenging road back to self-sufficiency.

From ‘breadwinner’ to ‘beggar’

Some 234,000 people have returned to Nigeria’s northeastern Adamawa State during the past four months, following the government‘s recent push for the displaced to go home.

For many, there is nothing to return to. Houses have been destroyed, shops looted, schools burnt and fields lie barren.

Mohamed Ali, a 45-year-old farmer, recently returned to his village in northern Adamawa, only to find himself unemployed and doing menial jobs to survive. His field has been burnt to the ground and he has no access to seeds, tools or fertilisers to rebuild his life. Nor has he any money.

The loss of all these assets has had a severe impact on Mohamed’s self-esteem, especially as he can no longer provide for his family.

“We cannot afford to buy food from the market and we [now must] depend on the kindness of strangers to survive,” he told IRIN. “I was the breadwinner. Now I have become a beggar.”

Humanitarians warn that the trail of destruction left by Boko Haram, marked pervasive fear and insecurity, are hampering the efforts of returnees to rebuild their lives.

Main roads are the targets of frequent attacks, obstructing markets, and supply and trade routes.

“This means that the resumption of livelihoods in areas of return has been stalled,” Kasper Engborg, head of OCHA’s Nigeria office, told IRIN. According to Oxfam’s country director in Nigeria, Jan Rogge: “Our assessments indicate that 90 percent of the displaced across all the three (affected) states have lost all assets they possessed before the insurgency. Currently, only 10 percent of the respondents have indicated they possess

Many families in northeastern Nigeria are forced to survive off just one meal a day, after being displaced by Boko Haram and losing their main sources of income.

some assets such as motorcycles, mobile phones, radios and jewellery, and mainly depend on their relatives and friends.”

Nothing to eat

While small villages in the countryside are most affected by the conflict, a recent assessment by the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) said people in towns and cities also had little or no access to land and are forced to buy their own food. For the most vulnerable, who cannot afford rising market prices, there are few options but to seek help from friends, the wider community, or beg.

Nigeria has been the worst hit. Some 2.1 million people have been forced to flee their homes and 4.6 million are in need of humanitarian assistance, according to OCHA. “The ongoing insecurity in the northeast means that farmers cannot access their fields to plant and harvest crops,” Engborg said. “Food and productive assets have been lost due to attacks and displacement, and raids on farms for food by Boko Haram insurgents are still ongoing.

“This is a situation that is not just affecting the displaced people, but the whole population of northeast Nigeria. Host communities in particular are seeing their vulnerability to

The impact has been devastating.

They have no food. They’ve lost their livelihoods. They’ve been thrust out of their villages… and can’t get back to harvest.

food insecurity increasing.”

Displaced families have already exhausted their own resources and with thousands of farmers not able to grow staple crops, the main harvest season that begins in October will be below average for the third consecutive year, FEWS NET says.

As a result, much of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states could face a severe food crisis, while some areas, including Maiduguri, will experience emergency (Phase 4) acute food insecurity.

Cecile Barriere, deputy country director of Action Against Hunger, warned: “If we don’t do anything, the needs are going to be massive.”

Not just Nigeria

As Nigerians flee and Boko Haram increasingly widens its campaign across the border, Chad, Niger and Cameroon have also been affected.

In Cameroon’s Far North Region, for example, more than one in three people are food insecure and one in 10 are severely food insecure, according to the UN’s World Food Programme reports. This means they often have insufficient food and certainly lack nutrition in their daily diet.

OCHA says an estimated 545,000 people overall are food insecure in the region, a number that is three times higher than in 2013.

“Crop failure is expected this year as a result of the widespread insecurity,” Elvira Pruscini, WFP’s deputy country director in Cameroon, told IRIN. “Many of these farmers have been pushed away from the border and no longer have access to their land and livelihood means.”

In Chad, where some 140,000 people are in need of food aid, according to the WFP, the price of millet, a key part of the staple diet, has risen by as much as 20 percent compared to the five-year average. This is attributed to cross-border trade disruptions with Nigeria due to Boko Haram.

“There are issues with border closures, which means no free movement,” said WFP’s programme advisor in Chad, Nitesh Patel. “Small-scale agriculture for host populations has been disturbed and now [farming] activities won’t be able to continue until the next harvest season.”

Additionally, for those displaced Chadians who normally depend on fishing, moving inland away from the lake has meant a loss of their traditional livelihoods.

In Niger’s Diffa Region, where the majority of the country’s Boko Haram refugees have settled, an estimated 340,000 people are now going hungry.

The effect on malnutrition is already being seen across the region, with global acute malnutrition rates exceeding 12 percent in Cameroon, according to UNICEF, and 22 percent in Chad, according to the WFP.

19 September, 2015 41 seniorcitizen ‘Chieftaincy issues in Yorubaland are very challenging’

you can always get unsolicited excellent advice from people who don’t want you to fail, which you can merge with your own idea and further develop. It would be too bad and irresponsible of me to claim credit for everything. There are some people in communication, medical, engineering, who would come to sell ideas, so when you evaluate some of the ideas and realise there is sense in them and that they would be beneficial to the society, why then not try it. That FM radio station was something that is common in civilised society and I want to believe that the western part of this country had been a civilised society for long and it ought to continue to be so. This is one of the underlining factors of establishing the FM radio station and since everybody is going into radio we wanted to elevate our own to be different from others. Not only the radio station, we equally started the Road Safety Corps in Oyo State, but later the Federal Government came with Federal Road Safety Commission. Ideas flew from different angles then and we made use of few of them to the benefit of our people.

Continued from pg37

on the throne but kept them in different rooms without either of them being aware of the presence of the other. Later when I had succeeded in pacifying each of them, I brought the two of them together. In attendance at the meeting were myself and the secretary to the government. When the two of them met, Adebobajo prostrated before the Oba according to the Yoruba tradition. Adebobajo was not a trouble maker at all but some people just wanted to create problem for him. At the meeting I forecast and told Adebobajo that what I knew was that Adelegan was older than him (Adebobajo), though we don’t die according to seniority by age, yet if God’s doing, which cannot be destroyed by any human being is adhered to, the old man was likely to die before Adebobajo and if such happened then Adebobajo still had the chance of becoming an Oba. On the other way round if Adebobajo became the Oba then, the old man was not likely to become an Oba after Adebobajo. I said ‘let the natural law of justice take its course, particularly when the old man said he asked you whether you were interested or not before he joined the race and you said you were not interested then, why are you allowing people to push you’. Adebobajo listened, and though he is dead today, he became the Oba after Adelegan. However, it was a great pleasure that I was invited to his coronation, though I was no longer the governor. Also, the stool of Timi of Ede was another one but not as serious as the others, yet it would have created problem if did we not do what was right at the right time. The major complaint in Ede was that the candidate got married to a non-Nigerian and therefore that meant that at a certain time somebody who was not hundred percent from Ede would wear the crown. I however spent a night at Ede and conducted investigation personally which assisted me in resolving the issue. First-hand investigation was one of the strategies I used in resolving issues during my time. I drove to any town that had problems and asked questions that would help me in taking decision. Also then, the throne of Ataoja of Osogbo brought its own challenges. What happened was that a commissioner in the cabinet was a Prince of Osogbo and people felt we would favour him during the selection for the throne. One day I invited the commissioner and told him that ‘if you are really interested go home and do your job’. The resolution wasn’t too easy but not terribly bad. On the issue of the Olubadan of lbadan, we encountered some difficulties. There was a time people were alleging that the late Chief Adisa Akinloye wanted to create a third ruling line in lbadan. When the people came to me with the allegation, I immediately sent for Akinloye. This was a man I liked and respected so much. When he came I told him that he should not cause confusion in the town and we later managed the situation.

Having realised from the outset the problem that chieftaincy title would create during my time as the governor, I told my commissioner that I would add the portfolio of Chieftaincy Affairs to my responsibilities which greatly assisted me in resolving crises that were associated with chieftaincy titles then.

The Dimka coup of February 13, 1976 claimed the life of the then head of state, General Murtala Muhammed.

It also claimed the lives of some of your colleagues, one of whom was Col. Ibrahim Taiwo, then governor of Kwara State. You were rumoured to have miraculously escaped, how did you escape the coup?

God knows how He takes care of His chosen people and, concerning that coup, God worked through some people to help me. I eventually escaped that attempt to kill me in 1976 through some people God used. Mention should be made of the late Dele Ige, Chief S. K. Ajibade, Adekunle of Rational Architect, the designer of the Cultural Centre and Agbowo Shopping Complex in Ibadan. Adekunle is from Erunmu near Ibadan. Many many others also and l thank God for everything He does. I won’t say more than that.

Apart from that experience what are your other neardeath experiences while in service?

They are many but mention should be made of a particular one during the civil war. It was serious but God intervened. It was in Eha, near Nsukka but I escaped. The other one is my auto accident when I was the minister of Police Affairs. In the course of the accident, my driver was burnt and was forced out.

I was equally forced out, it was serious that I was flown abroad immediately but I give glory to God that saved my life.

What informed your government’s construction of the Molete and Secreatariat overhead bridges in Ibadan?

Let me tell you, Ibadan is the capital of the Yoruba nation and

Saturday Tribune

There was a time people were alleging that the late Chief Adisa Akinloye wanted to create a third ruling line in lbadan. When the people came to me with the allegation, I immediately sent for Akinloye. This was a man I liked and respected so much. When he came I told him that he should not cause confusion in the town and we later managed the situation.

always the leader in development. I wanted the city to always be the first in every developmental project. In doing all those things, I wanted to build on the foundation laid by foremost Yoruba leaders like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief S.L. Akintola, Major General Adeyinka Adebayo, Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, Chief Akin Deko, among others. Also, l wanted to maintain and sustain the institution of the Yoruba nation.

You established the first Frequency Modulation (FM) radio station in Africa in Ibadan the capital of Oyo State, what motivated such idea at the time when such was not that popular?

Always, I wanted Yoruba to be the leading group of people in the whole country. I joined the army and the army trained me, I went to almost every part of the world and I saw good things.

The purpose of education is that when you see good things and you have the means of replicating such in your area you must do it and if you did not, then you are a failure. When you are in government and people believe that you are doing very well, then

You once said that any achievement made during your time as the governor was collective, which method did you adopt in nominating members of your cabinet?

I know from the outset that it would not going to be easy but when I got to lbadan I found out that it would be very difficult for me as the governor to appoint commissioners without looking at the past. I therefore looked at the whole of the towns and villages in the whole of West to find out where commissioners had been appointed and who they were. I therefore considered areas where there had not been sufficient representation at the level of governance. Besides, the people to be appointed must be professionals in their field; it does not matter which field. Such people but must also have good means of income, people who would not just say ‘yes’ to me and mislead me. Consideration was given to the people who shared same interest with me and were supportive of my ideas and worked towards them.

Fortunately, women happened to be in the class of such people and I want to believe that in this country I was the first person to have two women in his cabinet. I must mention Professor Bolanle Awe, a distinguished lady, highly respected in the society and highly qualified in every respect, very decent. Also, I had another lady who was the wife of the Deji of Akure and who lost her husband few months or years before my appointment. She is late now. The report I got about her was fantastic and when I visited Akure, she was one of those introduced to me and at that point I made up my mind that I was going to consider her. In fact, when I was going to have a handshake with her, she turned it down, this unsettled me but I got to know later that it was the tradition. They were the first two female commissioners in my cabinet and both of them were fantastic.

You are very popular in Ibadan, would it then be right and correct if I call you an Ibadan man?

I never lived in Ibadan until I was made the military governor. However, I had some knowledge of Ibadan. Anywhere l worked I tried to ensure good understanding between me and the host and tried to establish good relationship with the people. As a very young man with the rank of Second Lieutenant, I first served in Abeokuta, but l did not serve for too long there before l went to Congo and from there I was posted to Enugu. Enugu was the first place where I met the real Nigerians, very nice, friendly and young people. I never agree when people talk negatively about Igbo people. Up till today I still have my very good friends in Enugu. When I came to lbadan, I wouldn’t know what the situation is today, but when you talk of the West with Ibadan as the nucleus, that is where you have people with excellent brains, top professionals, the first lawyer among others. In lbadan, we had the foremost civil servants in this country. Comparatively, they were in greater number than what you would see in the North or the East, they were highly educated professionals. When you talk of quantum you find more in the West and they were mainly concentrated in Ibadan, Lagos and Abeokuta. Then there was no discrimination like you have today as you could get anywhere and be welcome if you behaved in the same manner as they behaved and they knew that you were enlightened.

Therefore you didn’t have to feel inferior, you felt as if you were at home, that was what made lbadan. Ibadan people are good people but the tendency was to frighten people when going to Ibadan! When you have opportunity to work in a place, if you are transparent and open, even when you make mistakes, people would appreciate that you have made a mistake, particularly if you own up that you’ve made a mistake. Ibadan people are good people. I got on well with them.

Continues pg44

42 interview

19 September, 2015

Saturday Tribune

Democracy has no room for docile legislators —Adeyemo, Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly

Hon. Michael Adesina Adeyemo is the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly. He tells OLUWASEUN OTUBELA how he got into politics and the goals he has set for himself on the exalted seat.

G

OING down memory lane, how was growing up like for you?

Growing up was a very interesting experience.

As a young man from a rural community like Lanlate in the Ibarapa East of Oyo State, we did not have the advantages of those who sprang up from big cities like Lagos or Ibadan. That means that we needed to work hard and struggle for breakthrough. It was hard but challenging.

The challenges are what make it interesting and that is why we believe one needs to work extra hard to stay relevant in a competitive society.

Proceedings on the floor of the House are shown on television and, even then, when the media do their reports, they mention your contributions during the plenary session.

So, a legislator has nowhere to hide and it is in his own interest to justify the mandate entrusted in him.

Can we then conclude that your venturing into politics is one of the successful challenges you have dared to take?

To be honest, politics was never in my list of ambitions.

My being in politics is pure coincidence. My first love is law but soon after, I realised that being a solicitor to your clients is not enough as a voice for the oppressed and that if you actually want to serve the mass of the people, you need to go into politics. Moreover as a lawyer, I am convinced that where best my knowledge can be useful is at the legislature. To further my ambition, I joined the All Progressives Congress, then Action Congress of Nigeria in 2007 and bid for slot in the House of Assembly. I was not lucky in my first attempt but persisted in the pursuit of my ambition because I have the interest to serve. So in 2011, I eventually realised my ambition and since then I have been in the House, now I have been picked as the Speaker of this honourable house. It has been really exciting and demanding. It is really a challenge I enjoy.

Some members of the public are not happy with the lawmakers, stating that some of them do not represent the interest of the constituency that voted them in the house. In your own view, do you think your colleagues have done well enough to justify the mandate handed to them?

People should get the function of the lawmaker right. Constitutionally, we are elected to make laws to carry out oversight functions and to bring about development to our locality as members of the house of assembly, so your activities in the house at the plenary, the motions you raise and the bills you sponsor will send a clear message to the people on what stuff you are made of. There is this wrong impression that people have about the people who are in the legislative arm. A legislator is not expected to construct bridges or schools. He is not expected to drill boreholes. No. As a legislator what you are expected to do is to facilitate and accelerate development in your constituency when you discover that certain things are not provided by the government, you need to facilitate, through the executive arm of government, to get those things done. You are not empowered to execute projects because you don’t have control over finances, so your activities and the result they bring to your constituency will go a long way in assessing your contribution. Thanks to technology, proceedings on the floor of the House are shown on television and even then when the media do their report, they mention your contributions during the plenary session. So a legislator has nowhere to hide and it is in his own interest to justify the mandate entrusted in him.

Let me also use this opportunity to thank members of the public who offer us advice and guide us on burning issues. Their contributions have been useful to us and have brought us closer to the people in terms of informing us of the priority need of the society.

In spite of whatever good plans you might have for the electorate, do you think they are really convinced that lawmakers serve the genuine interest of the people?

Well, you have to articulate the plans you have and ensure you don’t derail. Lawmakers are expected to give their constituencies quality representation and at the same time ensure that we have a better society for the good people at large. By the time we ensure that development gets to the grass roots, especially in the availability of social amenities at the grass roots, then we will win the confidence of our people.

In your inaugural speech you promised to lead a transparent and visionary eighth assembly which will impact on all and sundry in the state, how will you ensure this will not pass as mere rhetoric?

It is one of my cardinal principles to be transparent and

so far, we have been able to do that. Our members can also testify to it, there is no point in hiding anything from your colleagues if you intend to command respect among them.

Since the inauguration, we have been honest and open and that is why it is easy for anybody to ask questions about the House and any member can answer them without necessarily being the Speaker. It has been an open system where everybody has a sense of belonging, everybody participates in the activities of the House. We still sustain and we are still following that principle.

You are almost three months in office, what have you as lawmakers done so far in the interest of the masses?

So far so good and to the glory of God almighty the journey so far has been very eventful. We have been able to do so many things from the legislative angle with the fear of God. So far we can say we have passed five bills into law. The bills have to do mostly with restructuring of the ministries. We have also passed a revenue administration law for the state, we have sponsored motions that touch people’s needs and demands particularly on the issue of textbooks for primary and secondary schools. By that we discourage incessant changes of recommended textbooks which can make things difficult for the students or their parents. We are able to do this by partnering very well and smoothly, with the executive arm of government who have been so wonderful, everyone has shown commitment, we have shown what we call determination to see that the state moves forward, we have a crop of intelligent people who are very versed and experienced in their chosen career. This is reflected in the quality of motions, and resolutions we have passed so far. All these go a long way to impact on the life of the people, so we have done wonderfully well, we pray that God will give us the grace to continue. We were inaugurated on 10 June and by the time we clock 100 days in office as a legislative arm, we hope to have moved further than this progressively. We sincerely ask for solid support and the understanding of our people considering the financial challenges that we are facing. We know that financial problem is a global issue, it is now left for the people to sit up and to look inward by adjusting our finances to be able to meet our needs.

The ‘ember’ months are here now, how was the session you had with transporters and road users on the issue of rampant road accidents?

Very good question. The rate at which we lose lives on

our highways and roads is becoming so regrettably high. There is hardly any family whose relatives has not tasted the bitter experience of road accident in one way or the other. As representatives of the people, we are challenged to ask questions and to rub minds with the operators, stakeholders and law enforcement agencies on how we can reduce the frequency of road accidents. The plenary we had last week was massive because all those we invited honoured us by appearing. They all raised genuine issues and presented their positions. From that meeting we gathered that deplorable condition of roads, rickety vehicles and various human factors like drink driving, illegal security checkpoints, overloading and overspeeding are some of the challenges we need to address. We thank God that we have the cooperation of everybody concerned. We have resolved to come out with a policy decision which is going to be a guideline or guiding principles for the operators, the law enforcement and all stakeholders. I want to use this opportunity to appeal to our people that we should exercise patience on our road, we should be very careful and watch the kind of vehicles we board, either intra or trans city. Whatever we come up with, precaution on the part of our people will be required.

Unlike the House of Representatives, the Oyo State House of assembly has been peaceful, do you think it will remain the same especially when House committees are to be formed ?

We have a solid foundation of peace from the seventh assembly. Peace and stability in the house have become part of our guiding principles in such a way that we resolve issues peacefully. Everybody wishes to keep the peace which must be sustained. If truly we are here for the people, then definitely there is no point causing problem, creating crises.

Rather, we have to work harmoniously for peace and stability of governance in the state and for the sake of good people of Oyo State, so the stability will continue because we have fathers and mothers among us who are supposed to show good examples. The house of assembly is not house of commotion but a house where sanity prevails.

What, for you, will be a successful tenure at the end of the day?

A successful tenure is tantamount to leaving Oyo State much better than we met it, the type we will be proud of. We also hope the vision of transformation of the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, becomes a reality. His vision for a system-based governance where everybody will be committed is shared by the House. On a personal note, it will be my eternal joy to see the peace we enjoy in Oyo State endure forever.

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19 September, 2015

motoring

Saturday Tribune With Seyi Gesinde seyigesinde@yahoo.com 08116954632

Kia expands Nigeria’s dealership network

T

he leading Korean brand Nigeria, Kia Motors has appointed WG Motors as its dealer in Minna, Niger State.

This, the auto manufacturer said was in its pursuit to bring exceptional service to its teeming customers across the country.

Speaking on its success story in Nigeria, Kia, through its assistant manager, events and public relations, Mr Olawale Jimoh, said “the zest to work on every possible aspect of customer care and expand their dealership network across the country geared towards exceeding customers’ experience has made Kia a successful brand in Nigeria.”

With the appointment of WG Motors in Minna, Kia Motors Nigeria has recently increased its growing franchise portfolio.

The Managing Director, KIA Motors Nigeria, Mr Jacky Hathiramani, speaking on the new dealership in a release, said “this new outlet gives us a foothold in Niger state and we believe our deep-rooted commitment to offering outstanding customer service, coupled with Kia’s stylishly designed product range will make it a success.”

Reacting, the Managing Director of WG Motors, Mr Iyiolawale Olawale, said “partnering with Kia is hugely important to our company and we have great faith that with our exceptional service delivery to customers, the brand will continue to grow its market share in the Northern Nigeria in the years to come.”

“Our dedicated sales staff and top-trained technicians are here to make auto shopping experience fun, easy and financially advantageous.

“The need for loyal customers to be truly successful cannot be overemphasized, premised on this the management of W G Motors is offering extras in its value added services.

“Also, in a bid to ensure that customers get the lowest possible price, the auto company is giving a 10 per cent discount on labour charges,” Iyiolawale said.

Also commenting on the new dealership, the Vice President, Kia Motors Nigeria, Mr Sanjay Tatpati,

said “the new dealership is aimed at offering a very personalised experience to the ever evolving buyers preferences and we think WG

Motors is an ideal partner to give Kia’s exceptional experience at the region.”

Kia said the new Kia’s extension in Minna opens to

meet the increasing demand in the northern Nigeria for Kia vehicles.

“We have a great new outlet to display the model

range together with dedicated workshop facilities and as part of our commitment to improving quality and standards across the board,

we will, of course, continue striving to deliver consistent and impressive all-round experience for our customers,” Iyiolawale said.

Toyota unveils 2016 Prius as most efficient in competitive range Toyota Motors is set to unveil its fourth-generation Prius hybrid, which the automaker said will go on sale early next year, 2016.

The automaker said the new Prius it gets its styling inspired by the Mirai and is likely to be the most efficient model in the firm’s range.

A subtle teaser of the new Prius released by Toyota, shows the rear light design and other parts shots which suggest a cleaner, more aerodynamic front is to be expected, with Mirai FCVinspired headlights and bumpers.

At the back, the sloping roof meets a high-lipped spoiler, with a Honda Civicstyle split screen.

“This Prius is set to be more slippery than at present, and one of the most efficient cars on sale and it will be better than the current Yaris Hybrid, indicating sub-75g/km CO2 emissions,” Toyota said.

Also, it is expected that the Prius will be offered in a variety of trim styles for the first time, with the PlugIn adopting a darker front bumper and sharper lines for the LED running lights.

Different alloy designs will further set them apart.

The next Prius is the first in a line of Toyota products

to use the global TNGA platform, underpinning every-

thing from the new Yaris to future SUVs.

The first model to be based on a new TNGA platform,

Toyota’s answer to the Volkswagen Group’s MQB architecture, the new Prius will be significantly more efficient, feature a lower centre of gravity for improved handling and move upmarket with four-wheel drive.

Style-wise, slimmer headlights, LED “eyebrows” and a wider lower intake will transform the front end, and are the latest in a series of bold design moves from Toyota.

The company is beginning to shrug off its reputation for drab design with stunning concepts like the FT-1 Supra successor and bold production models like the new Aygo and GT86.

VW Golf Cabriolet gets subtle, sporty facelift for 2016 The Volkswagen has said that it will add some facelift to its Golf Cabriolet for 2016 version, as the popular small convertible reaches the midpoint of its time on sale.

The CarBuyer magazine, releasing information on the car said revisions to the exterior styling are the most apparent changes.

It also said tweaks to the front bumper give it a sportier, more aggressive look and this is complemented by enhanced side sills and the addition of distinctive ‘accents’

at the back of the car.

The Golf Cabriolet also gets a new range of colours, six new exterior paint shades and an additional colour for the convertible roof. There will also be six additional wheel designs. The interior has also been improved, with new cloth trim options and different designs for the leather seats.

This comprehensive refresh of the model could be enough to keep it popular, despite that fact that it’s still based on the previous-generation Golf

hatchback.

Volkswagen’s work on the Golf Cabriolet goes beyond aesthetic changes, though.

The model also receives stereo and infotainment upgrades, including Car-Net – a service that enables you to integrate your smartphone with the Golf Cabriolet’s display, CarBuyers said.

It said as part of this system, “Guide and Inform” connects you to the internet to access detailed information about facilities and points of interest near the

car. This includes all sorts of data, from weather forecasts to nearby museums and restaurants.

The Golf Cabriolet engines now conform to the latest EU emissions standards.

There are four petrols and two diesels, all of which are turbocharged for strong performance.

The petrols range from the efficient entry-level 1.2-litre TSI to a 2.0-litre that makes 217bhp. Both diesel models are 2.0-litres with relatively low CO2 emissions.

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19 September, 2015

Saturday Tribune

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19 September, 2015

Saturday Tribune

Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

Brazzaville 2015: Toriola marks 41st birthday

A

FRICA’S most decorated athlete, Segun Toriola on Friday marks his 41st birthday at the ongoing 11th All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville.

The six-time Olympian has won 15 gold medals at the Games since his debut in 1991 in Egypt.

Toriola was honoured by both Nigerian athletes and officials at the Games on Friday before his men’s singles quarter-final match at

the Revolution Hall.

The table tennis star was also honoured by the International Table Tennis Federarion (ITTF).

Toriola had dismissed his opponent from Madagascar, Nativel Jonathan 11-6, 6-11, 11-7, 11-7, 13-11 to advance to the quarter-finals.

“It’s a great honour for me to be recognised by ITTF and I’m so happy,” Toriola said.

Meanwhile, Amaka Ogoegbunam who on

Thursday won the 400m women’s hurdles for Team Nigeria at Brazzaville 2015 says her next ambition is to to win the gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

“Today I won a gold medal,

it’s a very big achievement for me and I’m happy. I didn’t meet my personal time. But the time is okay for me.

“At least we are close to the end of the season, so the

time is good for me. At least, it gave me the gold medal at the All Africa Games,” said Ogoegbunam who returned

in a time of 55.86 seconds, a feat which however, did not meet her personal best of 55.45 seconds.

Onazi sure of AFCON 2017 ticket LAZIO midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi has expressed optimism that the new Super Eagles under coach Sunday Oliseh will qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Onazi has been recalled to the Super Eagles after he served a suspension due to red card he received against Chad in an AFCON qualifier in June.

He said it is always great moment when he plays for Nigeria and believes the new team under Oliseh will make Nigerians proud again.

“Playing for Nigeria is always special to me. We are building a young, new and dynamic team right now and it will be nice to use the two friendly games to build some sort of momentum. I’m confident we are on track to become a better team and qualify for AFCON 2017,” he told AfricanFootball.com.

“We will work hard collectively as usual and pray harder to get our target which is the AFCON 2017 ticket so we can make our lovely and loyal fans proud of us, and be proud of ourselves,” he added.

11th ALL AFRICA GAMES SEPT. 4 - 19, 2015

Niyi Alebiosu Toriola (left) with NTTF’s technical adviser, Martin Adomeit during the birthday party.

reporting

Why I invested so much in IICC Shooting Stars —Jemibewon Continued from pg41 Shooting Stars Football Club made some remarkable achievements under your administration, how did it happen?

Anywhere I am, I want to be number one in performance not in material gains. I happened to be a lover of sports. When I came to Ibadan, I felt that we must do something to be in the forefront of football. Then I had a great man as an instrument to start working towards the possibility of achieving that and the person was the late Chief Lekan Salami. I am so happy that just two years ago the family still called me to be the chairman of the marriage of one of the daughters who was just about three months old when he died, which means I am still connected with the family. Also early this year when the wife was celebrating her eighty years birthday I was there and recently when I lost my wife, a large number of the family member came. Then I knew I was going to do my best and get one formidable team in the West that would be the best in Nigeria. The two major teams in the West then were Water Corporation and Industrial Investment Credit Corporation (IICC). I played the politics well then because of the rivalry between the two of them. I knew there were other teams in Nigeria that were also good and had great potential. There was Rangers lnternational of Enugu, Bendel Insurance, Raccah Rovers, among others. I wanted to ensure that we were there with them. Chief Olalekan Salami and myself and other people like the late Samuel Ojebode, Muda Lawal, Kunle Awesu, all of blessed memory made some sacrifices. Mention should also be made of Segun Odegbami, the Mathematical, Idowu Otubusen, ‘the Slow Poison’, Zion Ogunfeyimi the goal keeper who sends me SMS on a daily basis, among others. At the beginning, I told Chief Lekan Salami that we must aim high, then at that time was Chief Emiola Adesina as the Director of Sports. When we started, I instructed that they should

go and look for a first class coach around the world and they brought one Scot named Allan Hawkes. The team won the African Cup Winners Cup in 1976. In order to encourage them, I went to arrange with Nigerian Technical Company (NITECO) for 30 Volkswagen Beetle cars. Many people would not believe that it was not the government money that I used for the payment. What I did was that I told all the contractors that we gave job that they must come and pay for a table at a dinner for a certain amount of money and it was the money we collected that we used to pay for the cars and not government money. But unfortunately in 1977 when we were supposed to defend the Cup Winners Cup, they conspired against us and we lost to Rangers International.

The first leg was played in Lagos and the second leg was to be played in our ground in Ibadan but they took the match to Kaduna. It was serious that on the match day, the Head of State then, General Olusegun Obasanjo, in fairness to him, had to speak and appeal to me before we agreed to play because we wanted to boycott the game. You can imagine it went to that level. The commitment I always put to their welfare and that of Lekan Salami, Adesina and others always spurred the boys to win and be the best. I went with them to almost all the venues where they had matches. There was one occasion when the boys performed very well and I felt so happy that I said they must get track suit that bore their names, then it was rare and with that alone they could not lose a match. There was a building at Iyaganku in lbadan that was where I normally arranged for the players after every game played. I always stocked the refrigerator with assorted drinks. The idea that players should not drink beer was never in my own dictionary, my idea was that ‘play and win a match and come here and enjoy yourself’.

My plan was that IICC would be the first club in Nigeria to have its own playing pitch, we had already acquired the site but we could not realise that, my joy is in the fact that the players were the first in the country to be given a car each

after winning a major cup.

Are you satisfied with the present position of the club in the country and in Africa?

What are we really proud of today in Nigeria? The standard has fallen. The sacrifice of time, money, energy and intellectualism is no longer there. Let me tell you a story that not many people knew about, but is true. IICC had a match at Ilorin or Benin, I can’t remember exactly now. The late Chief Lekan Salami lost one of his sons, yet he still went with the club for the match. However, when I asked him why he did so, he said: ‘Can I bring the dead back?’ He lost his boy but his presence during the game made a difference. If he wasn’t at the match, there was possibility that the Shooting Stars might lose the match which might be a double tragedy to him. How many people today would act in such a manner? One day, also at the Liberty Stadium, the stage was set, I can’t remember the team and Segun Odegbami came up to meet me at the state box and said that his mother dreamt that he would get his leg broken if he played the match and due to that he was not going to play the match. I immediately went down to the dressing room and told him; ‘Odegbami you are going to play, your mummy’s dream is okay but we shall pray against it that it won’t come to pass’. He played the match, not the entire ninety minutes, but he did not break his leg and we won the match.

Unfortunately, I was at the burial of Best Ogedegbe, I was equally at the stadium during Muda Lawal’s burial and I pray that none of them should die again now. Any time I meet any of them, it is usually a day of joy. I am in contact with Zion Ogunfeyimi, Segun Odegbami, ‘the Slow Poison’ Idowu Otubusen and others; please help me say hello to all of them. The most important thing to the success of sports is about finance, which to the Federal Government, state and local government, has dwindled drastically. You cannot achieve much without the finance we spent money to promote Shooting Stars and we achieved so much.

46 sport

19 September, 2015

Saturday Tribune With Dipo Ogunsola 081 169 54 641

outofplay Ronaldo (fifth right)

Martial at the Wing’s

Ronaldo enticed!

CRISTIANO Ronaldo has conquered the underwear industry and now he is making waves in the fragrance business by releasing a new aftershave.

The Real Madrid superstar attended a launch to promote his

debut fragrance - ‘Legacy’ .

He took to Twitter to upload a short video of himself spraying ‘Legacy’ on to his neck before being enticed away by an attractive woman.

De Bruyne spoils girlfriend

MANCHESTER United’s teenage striker Anthony Martial has continued to settle into life in his new city with a trip to popular Chinese restaurant Wing’s.

Just days after sampling the cuisine at bargain pub chain Wetherspoon, the 19-year-old now appears to have heeded the recommendation of some of his new team-mates.

Wing’s is a well known hotspot for several United players and manager Louis van Gaal was also pictured at the venue on the same night as Martial.

The Sun reports that Martial, who scored a stunning solo goal on his Red Devils debut in the 3-1 victory over Liverpool last weekend, was dining out with his wife Samantha and young daughter.

The France international joined United this summer from Monaco for an initial £36million fee, which could rise up to £58m.

B

ELGIAN international Kevin De Bruyne is at home on British soil, as he treated his girlfriend Michele Lacroix to a meal out at celebrity hot-spot San Carlo.

The Italian restaurant, in Manchester city centre, is popular with many of De Bruyne’s teammates, with fellow new boy Nicolas Otamendi recently stopping there for a bite to eat, too.

Man City’s £54million-man De Bruyne is pictured by The Mail smiling as he left the restaurant with girlfriend Lacroix, who sported a leather jacket and a grey scarf to keep her warm.

Mayweather

Mayweather promotes new legacy FLOYD Mayweather has taken to Instagram to promote his new ‘Legacy’ t-shirt.

The undefeated boxing legend posted a picture of himself wearing the limited edition merchandise, standing between two of his beloved Bugatti Veyron supercars.

Despite the money man’s seemingly insatiable love for cash, the five-division world champion will be donating a portion of the profits from the t-shirt sales to his Floyd Mayweather JR Foundation – which works to empower communities.

Mayweather posted the picture with the caption: ‘Get my official limited edition “Legacy”.

The picture has been liked more than 145,000 times by some of the boxer’s eight million followers on Instagram.

The limited edition shirt is only on sale until September 19 and

costs about £16 ($24.99).

While Mayweather insists the Berto bout win last weekend was his last fight, his father and trainer Floyd Mayweather Snr is trying to convince ‘Money’ to fight one more time to go 50 undefeated.

Martial (left)

De Bruyne

Balotelli in good company

Balotelli (right), Niang and Mexes

MARIO Balotelli has been grinning like a Cheshire cat since returning to the Rossoneri on a season-long loan and snapped himself showing off his pearly whites with French team-mates Philippe Mexès and M’Baye Niang in an Instagram selfie.

The picture, which the Italian international captioned with a French phrase roughly translated as ‘smiles us brothers’, suggests the sulky striker could be enjoying himself again ahead of the crunch meeting with his old club Inter Milan in two days time.

The former Man City man even posted a picture of himself kissing the Milan crest earlier the week, which will no

doubt rile the Inter fans.

The 25-year-old badboy fell out of favour with boss Brendan Rogers at Liverpool, partly over his training ground antics and attitude.

And Milan manager Siniša Mihajlovic criticised Balotelli over his fitness following a reserve game two weeks ago.

However, Milan goalkeeper and fellow Italian international Christian Abbiati has said the striker is on the right track and ‘really wants to play’ in the derby.

“Balo is a great guy, he just has to follow the few rules we have in the dressing room,” Abbiati told Gazzetta World.

‘If he has made mistakes, they have all happened off the field.

47

sport

19 September, 2015

Saturday Tribune

Nigerian athletes after a race at the ongoing Brazzaville 2015

Lack of developmental processes, bane of Nigerian sports—Tandoh

DR Kweku Tandoh, the immediate past Director of Sports, Lagos State Sports Council is a member of the technical study group set up by the National Sports Commission (NSC) to monitor the ongoing 11th All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville. Tandoh in this interview with Deputy Sports Editor, NIYI ALEBIOSU, in Brazzaville, speaks on the mandate of the group and his observations, among other sundry issues. Excerpts:

A

S a member of the technical study group, what has been your observations here so far?

First of all, the mandate of the technical study group is to monitor the performances of the athletes, identity various factors that could have led to such performances and at the end of the day make recommendations to the National Sports Commission (NSC) that can help improve the performance of our athletes in future competitions.

So far we’ve been able to interact closely with the athletes, coaches and even the secretaries of sport federations and we have identified quite a number of issues that will need to be attended to in line with our mandate. We are still going round all the venues, we are going to put together some of these things and I believe at the end of that, we would be able to come out and say okay these are the mitigating factors or things that we need to address if we want to improve our performance. There are issues of technical competence, issues of nutrition, issues that borders on the extent at which we have applied science to sports performance. There are number of issues and I’m happy with some of the responses we have been getting from the athletes and officials.

I believe at the end of the day, once we are able to put together our report, the director-general of NSC, whose initiative it was to set up this technical study group, Alhassan Yakmut and his team will go through them and find a way of implementing what we have put together for them.

Do you think this report will not be swept under the carpet like we’ve had in the past?

I don’t think so this time round.

Don’t forget that the director-general is a former athlete and also a seasoned sports administrator and if you recall the charge that was given to the National Sports Commission by Mr President, Muhammadu Buhari when they went to see him was that, there is a need for them to go back to the drawing

board to see how they can improve on the performances even those sports we used to excel before like swimming etc. I’m quite positive that Yakmut and his team will work assiduously to implement the decisions and recommendations of the technical study group.

How many are you and when are you going to submit your report?

About 13 of us made up of sports scientists, ex-internationals, sports administrators. We’ve assigned ourselves to cover various sports, we’ll put it together before we leave here. We’ll have like a draft of what we have put together, but within a week of our arrival in Nigeria we should be able to present a comprehensive report to the NSC.

What are the challenges being faced by your committee in carrying out this task?

Well I won’t say we are having challenges because the organisers have put their transportation system in place that covers all the venues, so we are able to move from one venue to the other. Though one or two hitches here and there, but we’ve been able to effectively carry out the assignment that has been given to us.

We observed here that most of our athletes are getting old compared to other countries, why is it always so?

There are quite a number of factors that could be responsible for that, most especially the fact that we are not producing young athletes. That is one thing about sports development, if you concentrate only on your elite athletes, don’t forget there must be replacements for those elite athletes, we have not so far put in place developmental

processes for our sports and that is why you find some athletes representing Nigeria for up to 20 to 25 years and yet, you can not find suitable replacements or up and coming athletes who can beat them either on the national level or replace them. That is one factor.

The other factor is that sometimes, we find coaches who are more comfortable working with the athletes they’ve been working with for quite a while, and they are resistant to bring in younger athletes. That also had to do with subjectivity of our coaches, it’s something that we need to address, obviously as we have seen here, there are quite a number of sports that we should by now have younger athletes coming out.

The average age of many of the teams we have met in many of the events, you’ll agree with me that we need to improve upon, putting processes in place to ensure we have a continuous supply of athletes from the grass roots.

That is one thing about sports development, if you concentrate only on your elite athletes, don’t forget there must be replacements for those elite athletes.

Tandoh

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Brazzaville 2015:

Obiji, 2 others set world records TEAM Nigeria powerlifting team on Friday again put Nigeria on the world map at the ongoing 11th All Africa Games as they set three more worls records at the Ornano Sports Complex, Brazzaville.

Bose Omolayo lifted 137.5kg to win the gold in the 79kg and set a new world record having broken her own record of 137kg she set two months ago at the Asian IPC Games in Kazakhstan.

Also, reigning London 2012 Paralympic gold medallist, Obiji Lovelyn set the second world record in the 86kg women’s powerlifting when she lifted 149kg, while Precious Orji completed the record setting in the 86+kg with a lift of 164kg.

Meanwhile on Friday, Ibrahim Abdulazeez who competed in the 97kg lifted 225 kg to win the silver, while Opeyemi Bambo who competed in the men’s 88kg also clinched the silver with a lift of 204kg.

Omolayo while speaking with Tribunesport after the medal presentation ceremony was full of praise to God, just as she attributed her success largely to the technical ability of the head coach, Are Feyisetan who she described as her mentor.

Obiji

Onazi

Oliseh recalls Mikel, Onazi

S

UPER Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh has called up 24 players for next month’s international friendly matches with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Cameroon.

Oliseh recalled Mikel Obi, Victor Moses, Odion Ighalo and Ogenyi Onazi into the team for the double header.

Mikel was dropped from the first squad announced under Oliseh’s era due to communication gap, Moses was left out due to ‘small’ injury and Onazi was not listed due to suspension after his dismissal against Chad in June.

Nigeria faces the Red Devils of the Congo on October 8 and the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon three days later in Belgium.

The winners of the preliminary round between Swaziland and Djibouti will host the Super Eagles on November 9 in a 2018 FIFA World Cup first round qualifier, with the Eagles hosting the return leg in Nigeria eight days later.

All invited players are expected to arrive in Belgium on Monday, October 5.

The squad: Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France); Carl

Quadri, Oshonaike grab 2016 Olympics tickets NIGERIA’S Aruna Quadri and Olufunke Oshonaike on Friday qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games after making it to the semi-final stage of the singles event of the 2015 African Games in Congo Brazzaville.

With this qualification, Quadri who defeated Egypt’s Ahmed Saleh 4-1 in the quarter-final will be making his second appearance at the Olympics.

Quadri will now face Egypt’s Khalid Assar who edged out Nigeria’s Ojo Onaolapo in the quarter-final.

For Oshonaike, it’s a dream come true as she has equalled Segun Toriola’s sixth appearance at the games having made her debut at the 1996 Atlanta

Olympic Games in the United States.

To confirm her slot, Oshonaike defeated Egypt’s Yousra Helmy 4-2 to set up a semifinal clash against another Egyptian Nadeen El-Dawlatly.

The finals of the event hold today.

Meanwhile, Egyptian Saleh won the first set 11-8 before

Quadri won the last four sets to pick the Rio Olympics ticket.

Speaking with Tribunesport

after the game, the African number two said he was a bit nervous during the first set.

11th ALL AFRICA GAMES SEPT. 4 - 19, 2015

Niyi Alebiosu

reporting

Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars); Femi Thomas (Enyimba FC) Defenders: Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira, Portugal); Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); William Troost Ekong (FK Haugesund, Norway); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa SK, Turkey); Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors) Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars); Obiora Nwankwo (Coimbra FC, Portugal); John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia) Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Al Ain, UAE); Sylvester Igbonu (FC UFA, Russia); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Moses (West Ham United, England); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Prince Aggrey (Sunshine Stars).

Foreign coach news demoralised Falcons —Danjuma HEAD coach of Nigeria’s Super Falcons, Chris Danjuma has admitted that the news back home that he will be relieved of his job regardless of how the Falcons performed at the 11th All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville, had an adverse effect on

his team.

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick had announced that Nigeria would be appointing a foreign coach for the Super Falcons this week while the team was in the thick of competition.

The news seem to have scuttled the spirit in the Falcons camp in Congo after the team started their All Africa Games performance on a high with a 5-1 win.

However after that victory and Pinnick’s subsequent an-

nouncement, the team lost three straight matches.

“I am human. Though we are professionals, we still have emotions. We come out every day to give our best to make a name for yourself and make our country proud.”

Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: saturdaytribuneeditor@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR: LASISI OLAGUNJU. All Correspondence to P. O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 19/9/2015.