19th September, 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,592 MONDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER, 2016

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TODAY'S SPECIAL

5 costly car maintenance mistakes HERE are some more bad habits that drivers may not be aware can cost them money – mostly in terms of fuel efficiency.

Your tyres are underinflated Underinflated tyres increase tyre wear and reduce your fuel economy. Tyre pressure is determined by

the psi (pounds per square inch) in the car tyres, and according to the Department of Energy, you can improve your gas mileage by 0.6 per cent on average— up to 3 per cent in some cases—by keeping your tyres inflated to the proper pressure.

Discovery Channel’s “MythBusters” tested this rule out by letting the air out of a set of car tyres to see if it

TribuneOnline

Nigerian Tribune

N150

Unveiling of HID Awolowo Foundation holds today

•As family, friends mark first anniversary of her demise

FG to concession 22 airports Continues pg7

—P7

—P6

Isheri kidnappers demand N1.2bn ransom —P7

Many killed as Air Force bombards Boko Haram's hideouts in Borno •Army rescues 43 people, 500 cows —P7

Firefighters using wheeled stretcher to carry supplies near site of explosion in New York, United States, on Sunday. PHOTO: SUN UK.

FirstNation Airways resumes operations —P6

New York bomb leaves 29 injured

•UN General Assembly begins today

—P33

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businessnews

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Nigeria’s 22 airports to be concessioned in two phases —FG •There will be no job loss to concession —Minister Gbemi Solaja-Lagos

F

EW weeks after the federal government announced plans to concession the four international airports across the country for better efficiency, the minister of state for aviation, Hadi Sirika on Sunday hinted that all the 22 airports will be fully concessioned in the second phase of the project.

The international airports: the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, Mallam Amonu Kano International Airport and Port Harcourt International Airport have been mentioned as those to be concessioned in the first phase of the project which will be followed by cargo designated airports.

This is just as he promised that workers will not be affected by the exercise.

Dropping the hint while meeting with the unions represented by the Air Transport Senior Staff Services of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) at the weekend, Sirika, as a way of showing commitment, gave the unions the opportunity to be part of the concession Project Delivery Committee, to enable them make inputs to improve the process.

Sirika, while describing the present state of the airports as a major blemish which needed improvement, attributed the government’s resolve to concession the airports to the over-riding national interest in ensuring the establishment and sustenance of world-class standards in infrastructural development and service

delivery.

While assuring the unions that the concession is not tantamount to privatisation or outright sale, he explained that the institutions being concessioned remained the properties of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Nigeria even as he added that more jobs would be generated at the end of the day.

“You see government

has no plans whatsoever to sell national assets but it was sheer misconception. But the truth is that government does not have money to invest and even if it could, with the sheer bureaucracy it could take ten years and Nigerians are tired of what is on ground and want something new,” he said.

According to the minister, a private investor like

TWO weeks after suspension of its flight operation due to inadequate aircraft in its fleet, the management of FirstNation Airline on Sunday announced its return.

In a statement issued by Rasheed Yusuff, Corporate Affairs in the airline, the management said: “we are delighted to inform you that our operation is back.

Flight commenced on Sunday, September 18, 2016 with very strong passenger demand despite the break.

“This patronage reinforces the strength of our brand and the quality of our service. We received ground swell of support from the flying public during our maintenance break and this tremendous sup-

ers are not working, toilets are not working, the same terminal we had in 1979 is still there and government does not have the money to put the infrastructure at these airports, 22 airports with 2 General Managers at Level 17 each?

“It was extremely important and the vision of the government that we should involve and engage all the stakeholders and all the

people who have a stake in what we are doing especially on the concessioning of our airports, creation of a national carrier, aviation leasing company, MRO and all of the things we intend to do through private sector driven model of doing business.

“We thought it in our wisdom to begin to talk to all stakeholders to get their buy in to understand what we mean and try to define a difference between concession and privatisation,” he said.

Conoil grows profit by 196% Kehinde AkinseindeJayeoba-Lagos

From left: Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, Minister of Budget and National Planning; Mr Olusegun Awolowo, ED/CEO, NEPC and Mr Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State for Petroleum, at the Cabinet Retreat on the economy and 2017 budget at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja.

Diamond Bank rated best bank in electronic banking in Nigeria DIAMOND Bank Plc has been named and awarded the Best Bank in Mobile Banking in Nigeria by Businessday in the 2016 Banking Awards.

The bank also emerged as the Bank with the ‘Most Innovative Product of the Year’ as its Cool Teen financial product, developed for teenagers, beat four

others to emerge tops.

According to the award screening and selection committee, the awards are in recognition of the bank’s high value addition to the growth and development of mobile banking in the country and its leading role in revolutionizing and positioning the mobile phone as a tool for driving

FirstNation airlines resumes flights Shola Adekola-Lagos

those who built airports at Doha and Dubai could provide funding for such a project and accomplish it with ease, giving this country a state-of-the-art terminal facility devoid of the problems of the current ones and after a period, as the term concession implies return said facility to the country.

“Let us tell ourselves the truth, the air condition-

port has been humbling experience to all of us at Firstnation.”

According to the management, since the airline launched service in 2013, “we have built a respectable followership and rated consistently as market leader on safety standard and schedule integrity on the routes that we serve. This reputation was reinforced by Firstnation’s achievement of International Air Transport Association (IATA) International Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification (the airline industry global bench mark for world class safety standard) in 2015 within record time of twelve months. The achievement of IOSA certification by Firstnation in 12 months of application remains unrivalled

in West and Central Africa.”

The airline, through its Director of Flight Operations, Captain Chimara Imediegwu, after suspension of flights, had declared that the airline suspended operations due to inadequate equipment in its fleet.

According to him, two of the airline’s aircraft developed some snags, which affected its operations, hence the decision by the airline to voluntarily ground its operations voluntarily with the knowledge of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

“We had a snag in one of our aircraft and not a CCheck as claimed in some quarters. We carried out a troubleshooting on the aircraft and we were not satisfied with its performance.”

financial inclusion in the country.

A message from the awarding institution as reflected in the award plaques, affirm that Diamond Bank’s success in the fiercely contested award categories by a lot of other nominated banks in Nigeria, is in recognition of its unrivalled excellence in services to customers and reward for the quality of financial products developed to stimulate the interest of youths, customers and potential customers to embrace digital banking using the mobile phone.

Receiving the awards, Uzoma Dozie, Diamond Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, who was represented by the Deputy Managing Director, Caroline Anyanwu, said the award was “a strong testament of the bank’s conviction that the digital platform holds the key to the future of banking, adding that the bank’s leading revolutionary role in providing efficient and cost effective services using the mobile phone is strategic.”

According to her, the reason for developing specific financial products for the youths and children is to

enable Nigerian youths belong to the banking community and know that they have a right to start early to chart a healthy financial course in life.

Since assuming office as the Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Bank, Dozie, working with a wellfocused digital team, has stamped Diamond Bank as the leading bank with the most digital innovations in Nigeria.

Diamond Bank was the first bank in Africa to launch the fingerprint recognition feature on its Diamond Mobile App, a fingerprint reader that allows users of the Mobile App an easy and seamless login to their accounts by simply recognizing and identifying their individual fingerprints - a technology very few banks in the world have adopted and implemented.

The bank was also the first to introduce the Magic Cash, an app that works with the mobile phone; it is a no-cheque, no-withdrawal slip and no-debit card financial transaction that gives customers easy access to draw cash from any of the bank’s ATMs anytime.

CONOIL Plc has complemented its 2015 financial result as it recorded 196 per cent increase in its profit for the first half of 2016.

Unaudited half year report of the oil marketing company filed over the weekend with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) showed that its profit before tax rose from N528.5 million in 2015 to N1.566 billion in 2016 representing 196 per cent increase.

Another major highpoint of the six-month scorecard was the 190 per cent increase in profit after tax from N359.4 million in 2015 to N1.04 billion in 2016, while Earnings Per Share also rose from 52 kobo to 150 kobo, representing an increase of 190 per cent.

Analysts confirmed that the company’s results surpassed expectations considering the volatility in the downstream sector of the oil industry and indeed, the nation’s economy.

Capital market analysts were also of the view that, going by this performance, the company would end up with a higher dividend payout for its shareholders at the end of the current financial year.

It will be recalled that the company declared N2.08 billion dividend last year, translating to N3 on every 50kobo ordinary share for the 2015 financial year, compared to N1 paid in 2014.

The capital market has been reacting positively to the company’s laudable 2015 financial performance, with a recent surge in the demand for its stock by investors. So far, Conoil investors have reaped a return of 34 per cent in the last two weeks, as the equity appreciated in value.

According to a statement released by the company: “The result shows that we out-performed our previous year both in the topline and should exceed our bottom-line performance at the current run-rate.”

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news

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5 costly car maintenance mistakes Continued from front page

would have a real effect on gas mileage.

Cruising with tyres that were 15 per cent underinflated, their car guzzled 1.2 per cent more fuel. And with tyres 15 per cent too pumped up, the car used 6.2 per cent less fuel – because “there was less surface area of rubber meeting the road.”

You’re carrying around too much junk Hauling cargo on your roof increases wind resistance and lowers fuel economy, as does extra weight inside the car. The Energy Department recommends drivers avoid keeping unnecessary items in your car, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds could reduce your miles per gallon

by about 1 per cent. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the car’s weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones. So if you’ve been riding around with a set of golf clubs or old sports equipment, consider keeping them in the garage.

to Edmonds. Refer to the manufacturer’s specified maintenance schedule on how often you should change the oil.

The main advocates of the 3,000-mile oil change schedule are, of course, those who would profit by it: repair shops and service departments at some new-car dealers, says Cars.com, a car research and listings site.

You’re changing the oil every 3,000 miles It’s an old rule of thumb; most cars these days can go more than twice that distance before they need an oil change, say the experts at Edmunds.com. “Oil life monitors automatically sense when your next oil change is needed – based on car speed, engine temperature, climate conditions, number of cold starts and other factors – and they’re utilised by 19 of 34 automakers, according

You’re an aggressive driver You might be an aggressive driver if your cruising speeds range around 75 to 85 miles an hour, you’re constantly accelerating and changing lanes, and you’re often braking sharply.

If you decided to calm down and drive with the cruise control, says Aaron Lewis of Edmunds. com, your fuel economy would improve.

“Cruise control is much better than a person at maintaining constant throttle

input and speed, which is critical to getting the best possible fuel mileage,” says Toby Schultz of YourMechanic.com.

You really believe the claim of “lifetime fluids” There is no such thing as a fluid that lasts “a lifetime,” says Schultz, adding that by the time the fluid completely fails and the irreversible damage is noticed, the warranty is expired.

Most of these lifetime fluids are based on the idea of lasting about 100,000 miles. After that, the manufacturer doesn’t really care what happens to the car. (Most manufacturers suggest 30,000 to 60,000 miles as the point at which you should change the transmission fluid in a manual transmission, according to YourMechanic.com).

•Culled from yahoofinance

All set for first memorial anniversary of HID Awolowo

By Paul Omorogbe

T

ODAY, marks the first year anniversary of the passing on to glory of the matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty who was co-founder and chairman of African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles, Chief (Mrs) H.I.D. Awolowo. The Yeye Odu’a of Yorubaland passed on at the age of 99.

As part of the activities to commemorate the day, a Special Memorial Service holds at Efunyela Hall, at Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s residence, Ikenne-Remo,

Ogun State by 9 am today, while the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation will be hosting the “Unveiling of HID Awolowo Foundation” by 12 noon at the same venue.

Guest speaker at the unveiling is Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, women’s rights activist and president of Women Arise for Change Initiative, while Mrs Ayo Obe, human rights crusader and one-time president of Civil Liberty Organisation will chair the occasion.

On Tuesday, September 20, the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF), will hold a One Year Memorial Anniversary Lecture in honour of Yeye

Mama HID Awolowo was exceptional —Ebenezer Obey

By Seyi Sokoya MUSIC icon, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi has expressed that the vacuum Mama HID Awolowo left behind in the last one year can’t be filled by anyone, as her legacy and that of her husband cannot be compared to any.

Obey, who joined other well-meaning Nigerians to commemorate first year remembrance of Mama Awolowo, told the Nigerian Tribune that “the memories of papa and mama, who lived and cared for the people, especially the masses and leaders, whose thought was beyond selfishness will continue to linger.

“They were concerned with the lives of people generally and always thinking of how to put smiles on the faces of people. This was one of the qualities that made these great couple (Papa and Mama) exceptional and mama played a major role in keeping the legacy. I personally miss her.”

He also said that people would always remember what they stood for, especially in a reflection of what is happening presently in Nigeria, adding that “greed and selfishness was what led us to the situation we found ourselves in the country today. I urged Nigerians and our leaders to join hands together to retrace our steps and look for solutions through collective sacrifices and selflessness which is one of the qualities of the sage and mama. I wish them more grace to continue to rest in peace.”

HID Awolowo who was the forum’s founding chairman.

The lecture will hold at the secretariat of the Chief Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, 15 Lanre Awolokun Street,

Gbagada Estate Phase II, Lagos State, by 10 am.

Special guest of honour for the day will be the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi

Ojaja II. The lecture titled, “Eternal Sustenance of Yoruba Language and Culture” will be delivered by an erudite scholar and historian of

note, Professor Adebisi Afolayan.

Both auspicious events are expected to be attended by dignitaries from within and outside the country.

Kanu’s detention: IPOB to stage protest Friday Orders sit-at-home Suzy Oruya - Onitsha The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has declared Friday, September 23, sit-at-home in protest against the continued detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu ,by the Federal Government.

The group en joined the Igbo people and all those who believe in Biafra ideology in the country to shutdown their businesses and stay at home.

It ordered IPOB members outside the country to stage open protests on Firday In a press statement signed the group’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune, in Awka, Anambra State, on Sunday, said “The IPOB worldwide protest ,will take place in all the countries across the globe, except in Biafraland and Nigeria, where church services will be held.”

“Every IPOB member and other Biafrans living in Nigeria and Biafra land, will stay at home on Friday.

“We also urge all markets, schools, banks, transport companies and manufacturing companies to close on that day in solidarity with the Biafra restoration process.

“We call on Okada riders, commercial vehicle owners and the National Union of Road Transport

Workers (NURTW) ,to withdraw their vehicles from the road on that day in solidarity with IPOB worldwide, for the release of Kanu and for the total liberation of the Biafra people.

“We also advise every Biafran to switch off their communication devices, especially ,mobile phones on that day from 800am till 400pm in solidarity.

“This will let the world know, including commu-

nication companies, to Know that Biafra people are serious toward the release of our leader and the restoration of the ancient and sacred sovereignty of God’s nation, Biafra.

“Only IPOB members in Biafraland and Nigeria are exempted from street protests on this occasion, adding “that any country where there are IPOB family units that doesn’t participate in this global event, will be shut down”.

Isheri kidnappers request N1.2 billion ransom THE gunmen, who kidnapped four residents of Isheri area of Lagos State, are asking the families to pay N300 million each, before they can be released.

The abductors, who established contact with the families on Sunday, said the captives would be released once the monies were deposited at a designated point.

Meanwhile, the police have assured that they are on a massive manhunt for the kidnappers.

The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ahmed Iliasu, said a combined team of 30 policemen had been deployed to the area in search of the kidnapped residents.

The four victims were said

to have been kidnapped during an aerobic session in the early hours of Saturday.

An eyewitness said the three kidnappers who were all armed and masked, came in from the water side.

Kidnappers seem to have gone on rampage as several cases have been reported recently in states across Nigeria.

Air Force bombards Boko Haram’s hideouts in Borno •Army rescues 43 people, 500 cows Chris Agbambu - Abuja THE Nigerian Air Force (NAF), in continuation of its efforts at finishing the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists, conducted several air strikes at suspected Boko Haram locations on the outskirts of Tumbin Gini and Tumbin Kayewa northeastern Borno State, on Friday, September 16.

This was contained in a press statement issued and signed by the NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune, on Sunday.

According to the statement, the air strikes were as a result of ground-based intelligence and successive

Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance reports obtained from several missions flown by NAF platforms.

In a video released by the NAF, some of the terrorists could be seen at one of the rendezvous where they were believed to be holding a high-level meeting when NAF jets scrambled to hit the locations.

A post-strike battle dam-

age assessment of the the strikes revealed that the rendezvous was badly damaged with many casualties, while those far from the vicinity could be seen scrambling to safety. The aircraft involved in the air strikes were the NAF F-7Ni and the Alpha jets.

Meanwhile, the military, on Sunday, announced another breakthrough, as

they rescued 43 abducted persons and recovered 500 cows from fleeing terrorists in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The operation occurred in the morning, after eight suspected Boko Haram terrorists abducted some cattle rearers and livestock at gunpoint at Dalakalari General area in the local government.

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editorial

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Nigerian Tribune

The LEADS scheme and NUC’s default

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HEN the Federal Government announced the creation of the Linkages with Experts and Academics in the Diaspora Scheme (LEADS) in 2007, it was widely hailed as an initiative that would go a long way in resurrecting the culture of research in Nigerian universities and restoring Nigerian higher education to its former place on the global map. LEADS’ many laudable objectives were clear on this intent. Among them were: attracting ‘experts and academics of Nigerian extraction in the Diaspora on short term basis to contribute to the enhancement of education in the Nigerian university system,’ creating ‘appropriate engagement positions and job satisfaction for Nigerian academics and experts,’ and encouraging ‘healthy staff movements, interaction and collaboration across and between Nigerian universities and other sectors of education.’

Almost a decade after its creation, however, the disappointing news is that the scheme has drastically fallen short of attaining these worthwhile goals. For example, according to reports in the media, it would appear that the Education Minister, Malam Adamu Adamu and the National Universities Commission (NUC), which is saddled with the everyday management of the scheme, are at cross purposes as regards both methodologies of implementation and actual policy targets.

For another, the scheme appears bogged down in bureaucratic quicksand, caught between the incompatible oversights of the NUC, the Education Ministry, and the Tertiary Education Fund (TETFUND), which is expected to provide the bulk of the funding for the programme. At any rate, there has been a lot of motion with very little movement to show for it, with the unfortunate outcome that the current scholarbeneficiaries of the programme, all recruited from universities across the United States, are marooned in various Nigerian institutions where ordinarily they should be providing active intellectual service.

The lamentation of one of the LEADS scholars, Professor Daniel Awodiya, currently attached to the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), encapsulates the distress the scholars are facing due to the apparent shabby preparedness of the NUC. Awodiya said: “You hardly can get any information from the NUC about what you have to do to register yourself after your arrival in the country; how to navigate the programme, nobody understands this! So, I had to go to NUC myself, find some contacts by myself and started communicating with them in order to know what was going on. I had never received any phone call from anyone in the NUC regarding the programme that they sponsored. So, I would say, they organize the programme to get us into Nigeria and once you are in Nigeria, you’re on your own! And indeed, I have been on my own in the last seven months I have been here.”

Needless to say, this is far from ideal, and things would have to change drastically, and in short order, to get the scheme back on track. For instance, aspiring and current LEADS scholars must be able to obtain all relevant information about the Scheme easily online.

For its part, the NUC needs to put its house in order by providing accurate information about the Scheme on its portal. The commission does not inspire confidence with its claim that “about nineteen scholars have been engaged” in the programme. Is the NUC unable to count? What exactly is the meaning of ‘about nineteen’? Eighteen? Twenty?

Second, the NUC must liaise with TETFUND to pay the salaries and other entitlements of current scholars immediately, and promptly henceforth.

There is simply no point uprooting scholars from their various domiciles, only to expose them to immiseration and uncertainty in Nigeria. The LEADS Scheme is a great idea, one whose timeliness and significance cannot be overestimated. It should not be allowed to go to seed.

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14 LETTERS TO THE

Monday, 19 September, 2016

editor

Letters to the editor should be sent to letters@tribune.com.ng or by sms to 08053412982.

It MUST be accompanied by the full name and address of the writer.

Economy: Let’s be optimistic

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HE statement credited to the Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, that a bag of rice could cost about N40,000

by December did not sound optimistic enough.

Although the minister was justifying why we should start producing our rice instead of relying on importation, his statement has resulted into panic

buying, while causing gloom among Nigerians.

Why no one doubted the statement of the minister is because everything has gone up of late, and Nigerians are paying double for goods and services now, so it won’t be a surprise when the price of a bag of rice hits N40,000. However, with this statement, Nigerians are preparing for the worse, as things are already so tough at the mo-

ment. We are now experiencing what we’ve never experienced before in the country.

Senator Lokpobiri’s statement is, therefore, giving Nigerians cause for concern; I understand the position of the minister that we need to produce more instead of importing, as this is part of the reason we are in this economic mess, but when our political leaders sound

Making better use of polythene wastes WHEN one moves around the country, one is bound see polythene wastes, particularly pure water sachets, littering everywhere.

This is a big problem in several countries, and not only in Nigeria, but other countries have devised better waste disposal systems to save their environment, and one of the ways through which they tackle wastes is through recycling, meaning wastes are reused for other purposes. For example, plastic wastes can be refined to make other plastic products.

However, in Nigeria, we are yet to tap fully into recycling our wastes in order to reduce the effect on the environment.

What we mostly do is to use our wastes to fill lands, but there are better ways we can still use our wastes to benefit our people.

Now, let us look at the sachet water wastes, which we popularly call ‘pure water nylons,’ research has shown that this type of polythene can be reheated to produce a type of oil that can be used as kerosene, or even diesel.

At a time when the price of kerosene is going above the roof, have we not thought that the pure water nylons lying all over the country can come to the rescue of poor women across the country.

Today, the price of a litre of kerosene is about N250, depending on the region one is in the country.

If we can then find busi-

nessmen, or even state governments that can tap into this by procuring the machinery to convert the pure water nylons into oil, then this will go a long way in helping women, as well as in reducing the environmental damage pure water nylons are causing.

One thing about polythene products is that they don’t dissolve biologically, and they just keep destroying the en-

vironment after they have been used and disposed.

It is, therefore, the responsibility of Nigerians, and even the government, to look for ways through which we can recycle the pure water nylons and other polythene wastes around us, thereby preventing them from destroying our environment.

•Theresa Obi, CBD, Abuja.

negative, then it is bound to affect the mood of the citizens. One thing I want to commend President Muhammadu Buhari for is his positive belief. Every now and then, the president explains to Nigerians how optimistic he is that the country would get over the current economic crisis.

Although the president admits that the country is currently experiencing tough economic periods, he, however, believes that in the nearest future, Nigeria would overcome its challenges.

This is what our political leaders should learn from the president. They should not make statements that will scare Nigerians further, as we already have a demoralised population, waiting only on ‘God’ for help.

I, therefore, want to charge Senator Lokpobiri that in his subsequent statements, he should focus more on why Nigerians

need to embrace agriculture. He should let Nigerians know that it is only local agricultural production that can sustain the country, and not the doom that

await us if we fail to take to agriculture.

•Dr Tajudeen Alalade, Ilorin, Kwara State.

INEC, start preparing for Ondo election now THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should start preparing hard for the Ondo State governorship election which is coming up in November. The electoral body, last week, postponed the Edo State election by two weeks due to the influence of security agencies. I hope that both INEC and security agencies will start preparing for the gubernatorial election in the Sunshine state so that it won’t also be postponed like that of Edo. Ondo State people are ready to exercise their constitutional rights by electing another chief executive in November, and

we don’t want a situation whereby unsubstantiated claims will be given in order for it to be postponed.

Therefore, whatever INEC and the security agencies want to do should be done now before the election date draws near.

I also hope that INEC will quickly complete all inconclusive elections in parts of the country, particularly those in Rivers State. The electoral body should liaise with security agencies to provide enabling environment for the elections to hold.

Finally, there is the need for security agencies to have special training on providing security during election periods. This will enable officers to know how to tackle incidences of thuggery or electoral violence without affecting the conduct of such elections.

For example, in the case of Edo, well trained security operatives would have been able to neutralise the plans of electoral violence perpetrators.

•Olufemi Alabi, Akure, Ondo State.

Banks, support agric sector FOR the country to get out of the economic mess it finds itself, then there is need for massive investments in agribusiness.

However, one of the biggest problems facing agriculture in Nigeria is the lack of support from financial institutions.

Banks will not willingly lend to agribusiness, and when they do, the loans come in double digits, which is not fair enough.

Nigerian agribusiness operators need the support of banks to prosper.

•Nugwa James, Lokoja, Kogi State.

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opinion

Monday, 19 September, 2016

Lasisi Olagunju Lasgunju@yahoo.com (08111813053)

Bad news everywhere, why?

A: When an old, overstayed king dies and you replace him with a sickly prince, what do you think will happen in the palace?

you have? We appear stuck with these two afflictions. You either repudiate one and embrace the other. You can’t be tired of life and still run away from death.

B: Tears. wailings and gnashing of teeth will erupt there once again, very soon.

A: So, it is that bad. A choice between death and undeath?

I do not think you are being fair to the present shepherds of the flock. They are, at least, doing something...cooking stones in a season of hunger.

A: We are a great people with great ideas of what we want, where we want to be and what would take us there. But why are we always stranded midair, panting and praying for deliverance from the choices we freely make? Just when you think the plane is out of danger, the pilot tells you to fasten your seatbelt, deadlier turbulence ahead. It is sad how things smoothly get out of hand here. The sick rarely get well...

B: Very unfortunate. Is it that the doctors are not competent or the town is just jinxed to be afflicted with irredeemable conditions? Everyday, everywhere, everyone frowns.

A: I don’t listen to Nigerian news anymore. I don’t want to die early....negative, negative all the time.

B: It is true. But not listening to news won’t change anything. Or has your self-inflicted blackout stopped schools from increasing fees or paid the school fees of your children? Has it stopped politicians from farting into your mouth while the king pines away admiring his glittering crown while the people starve? Better get used to the bad news. In any case, bad news has always been the news. Check your articles in the last three years. You can republish any one and it will still be fresh.

A: You are right. Last Friday, I saw a piece I wrote exactly two years ago. “Dimgba Igwe: Death of the journalist.” It was amazing how almost every issue addressed in it fit into today’s events.

B: So it is two years already that Dimgba died? And everyone has moved on. I don’t think the hit-and-run driver was ever found?

A: For where? The police must have moved on too to the next and the next tragedy.

B: I remember that piece and the reference to Nigeria as the ultimate “Valley of Death.”

A: Yes. The valley of death kills its best. And it does so in various ways and manners. Sometimes physically; many times, it adds the psychological to the manifest death. Who would ever have thought that Mike Awoyinfa’s twin brother

B: Really? Stones?

would visit Banana Island and bemoan the fate that consigned him to dusty, pothole-racked Okota? Dimgba visited Banana Island and “he was so sad that he would be leaving the well-tarred streets of Banana Island and be returning home to that hell of a street in Okota,” Mike recollected two years ago as he quoted Dimgba voicing out a dream that the Okota hit-and-run driver never allowed him to birth.

“Ogbeni, we must work harder and have a place in Banana Island,” he told Mike. Work harder so he and his friend could live in Banana Island? But, if hard work was what was needed to land him in that Island as a proud house owner, he and Mike already paid their dues in full. In fact, that he worked too hard was the reason he never lived there...

B: Hmmm. O ga o. Just like yesterday. And everything feels and sounds so fresh and raw.

A: Yes. So unfortunate. I’m sure in two years time, that paragraph would still ring true.

B: What that tells you is that nothing changes anywhere here.

The only thing that moves are the hands of the clock. The only change you always see no matter how hard you try is the bus driver. The engine, the chassis, the conductor and, even, the passengers and the direction of the vehicle are ever constant.

A: It is so heart-rending. The economy is dying, every home is facing one challenge or the other. And what you read or hear daily either tells you the government is confused on what to do or the opposition is insulting all of us calling for a trip back to their Egypt as the alternative.

B: If you are not going back to Egypt, what other option do

A: Yes. Or what do you think? You can’t deny that there is, today, some sense of sanity in the way government people behave and handle public funds. Now, there is a modicum of respect for sanity. The who-will-catch-me attitude has taken a flight from the big men and women who always believed they had climbed to the highest point where no one could reach and touch them. People now misbehave under the duvet.

B: And one housewife would dare everyone to challenge her decision to claim millions of dollars as her legitimate earnings. Some people have guts, no be small.

A: Yes. That is it. Guts. Money for medicals, she said. It can only happen in Nigeria.

B: Bad news all the time. I am not even bothered again.

What concerns me now is how to pay my bills and remain the head of my family.

A: A lot is happening bros. Women are taking over, big time, in several homes. It is the reality of the recession. How their men would reclaim their place after these storms is what I do not know. It is very unfortunate. And, someone said the light at the end of the tunnel is actually a conflagration. God have mercy!

B: You are right. A people can’t be more unlucky. How did we get stuck here? Remember what The Economist magazine said about the choices before Nigerians in the 2015 presidential election? It said it “was relieved not to have a vote” in that election but if it was going to vote in the election, it would, “with a heavy heart” vote for someone the other candidate was a complete No, no.

A: I remember that heavy-hearted piece of The Economist. But what we have now, is still, in some ways, a shade better than what we had.

B: You think so?

Economy: Diversification alone is not the solution

By Ayo Oyoze Baje

THE essence of democracy is for political office holders and policymakers to muster the capacity to identify and satisfy the needs, yearnings, aspirations, collective dreams and desires of the people. That is, as against satiating the pecuniary and obscene tastes of the political class, at the detriment of the led majority.

But now, our economy is in a tail spin. The ship of state is currently caught in the eye of the storm. The oil-dependent economy which has long been besotted by the wanton waves of waste, profligacy and the hydra-headed monster of greed and graft is on the verge of being torpedoed into the vast ocean of recession. According to the World Bank, Nigeria currently ranks 169 out of 189 countries surveyed in terms of the ease of doing business.

The parameters used include the ease of obtaining construction permits, access to electricity, enforcing contracts, registering property and trading across borders.

But as the economy worsens, how prepared are we towards salvaging our battered economy? That is the billion naira question, the answers to which may be farther than ever imagined.

Interestingly, the Minister of Finance had not too long ago revealed that the country is in a recession. Today, both the federal and state governments have been on a borrowing spree, just to pay salaries! And this has been going on for upward of two odd years.

Unfortunately, while the Federal Government enjoys the luxury of long-term loans to be paid back over a pe-

riod of 20 years, the states must make a refund in only four years.

This sordid scenario, however, ignites the fundamentally burning questions. How come that some of the same state governors who are unable to pay the long-suffering workers have no tangible infrastructural development projects or job-creation strategies in place to show for the billions of the federal allocation they have been collecting over the years? How can they justify the sad fact that some of them have been globe-trotting in expensive, state-owned jets in search of elusive foreign direct investment? What about those who have been throwing lavish, ego-tripping parties for their kith and kin, and others secretly building mansions, where they hope to rest after the odious deed has been done? Who, really is fooling who?

Worse still, our sweet crude oil may no longer hit the benchmark of $120 per barrel, over the next two years.

Between $70 and $85 may be more like it.

Still on the parlous picture painted about the economy, may we add that the stock market is far from being bullish. Investors are no longer smiling to the bank.

Manufacturers are still groaning. In fact, a top official of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria(MAN) recently admitted all is not well with the members and their huge investments. The steel sector is on the verge of collapse.

Yet, it has the capacity to generate over half a million jobs if the long-prostrate Ajaokuta Steel Company is functioning effectively. According to Sanjay Kumar, the CEO

of Steel Business, African Industries Group, four of the steel plants in the country have been shut down. Many are currently operating at 30 per cent capacity. The sick sector to which N100bn has been sunk, currently needs N60bn, injection to survive.

The challenge it faces is predicated on the continued importation of steel products, thereby, creating jobs for citizens of the exporting countries. This is in addition to the lack of input from experts on the sector before government’s policies are enunciated.

Besides, government’s patronage is grossly lacking.

Therefore, experts are canvassing for the diversification of the economic base from oil to agriculture, solid minerals and infrastructural development. But what have we done with revenues from the maritime industry, the customs and immigration services, taxes from the surviving manufacturing concerns and the entertainment and tourism industries, areas which if properly handled, could generate more proceeds than oil?

The truth is that in the Nigerian experience, political power has more often than not been acquired and appropriated by a clique of overtly avaricious, unpatriotic elements to build family empires.

Yet, they expect to be applauded for their fratricidal feat. That explains the reason behind the wide, inexcusable gap that currently exists, on the one hand, between the nation’s vast natural resources and the parlous state of the economy, 55 years after independence.

•Baje is a public affairs analyst.

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JEWEL Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us everyday…unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear —Anonymous

CHIEF DR (MRS)

HID AWOLOWO (1915-2015)

Still prominent in death

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JEWEL I miss my mother’s wit, support and comfort —Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran

Reverend( Mrs.) Omotola Oyediran, Chairman, African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc (Publishers of the Tribune titles) in this interview by YEJIDE GBENGA-OGUNDARE, speaks on the virtues of HID Awolowo, what she misses about her mother one year after her death and why women need to emulate HID’s values. Excerpts: ways available to tap into and learn from. We have a big family but we had a structure before she died and the principal thing is to maintain the right structures and make any necessary adjustments. We have always been conscious of the responsibility that goes with having a name like ours and we do our best to keep faith with that. We also try to continue to participate in various groups and societies, particularly those that are tied to our Christian heritage and family responsibilities that Papa and Mama were involved in their lifetime. We are just being ourselves and doing the duties attached to our great legacy.

I

T has been one year after mama’s death; what have you missed about her?

I miss many things about her.

I was privileged to have a mother for virtually 75 years; this is a rare occurrence, very few, if any of my contemporaries had that privilege. It meant that, in a sense, I enjoyed for so long the comfort, the cover and the motherly support that she gave. Mama had a sharp wit and it was always interesting to be in her company; we always had a lot to talk about and I miss those conversations. She was very caring, if she had her way, I would have been with her in Ikenne all the time, so I miss her company.

The good thing about having her around for so long was that I got to know her very intimately and now that she is no longer with us, I do not struggle to figure out what her views or wishes would be on most issues.

The house is not the same without her, especially as she kept her wit and lu-

cid mind till the end, she was my daily caller. Indeed, we spoke on the phone many times a day. So, in summary, I miss her very much, in many ways, and for many reasons.

The Awolowo family is one large united entity. As the eldest child of the sage, how have you been able to keep the flag flying?

As I said earlier, Mama shared a lot of information and her wisdom is al-

Has it been easy stepping into Mama’s shoes?

I don’t subscribe to the concept of stepping into other people’s shoes; that amounts to running another man’s race; a race in which we can never come first even with our best efforts. That said, there is a big role to play as the new matriarch of the family and the successor to Mama as Chairman of ANN Plc (publishers of the Tribune Titles). It is a challenge but by the grace of God, I am doing well. I have for many years been a mother figure to the grandchildren, great grand children and other members of the family, so being the matriarch now comes naturally to me. My husband, Professor Kayode Oyediran, has been a solid pillar of support and I have relied very heavily on him for wisdom and direction. His support has been a priceless asset to me. Mama herself took to calling me Mummy Ibadan (a name by which I’m generally known in the family) more and more towards the end of her life. She told me as often as

Mama was unique in so many ways and she married an exceptional statesman; to have an HID, you need an Obafemi Awolowo, it’s just that simple.

she could that I was the budding mother of the family and she encouraged me to assert myself in that role. So to the glory of God, I’m doing my best to play the role of a matriarch, to be a mother to all, in the best way I can.

Can there be another HID in the South West?

Mama was unique in so many ways and she married an exceptional statesman; they served Nigeria with unparalleled zeal and kept faith with the political issues of their era; that cannot be replicated. To have an HID, you need an Obafemi Awolowo, it’s just that simple. I hope that Nigerian men and women from all walks of life will imbibe the principles and values that Papa and Mama demonstrated in their lifetime. Figuratively speaking, we do need an ‘Awo’ in Nigeria, indeed, across Africa and we all know that Mama was his prop so there is a need for women that will play such roles alongside their husbands as well, but there will not be another HID. Mama, in her own right was a titan; she took on challenges that even men would quiver at and to that extent we need wise, steady, strong, hardworking women to take their places in the effort to raise Nigeria and Africa out of backwardness into the fulfillment of our tremendous potential. I certainly recommend that women should emulate those good virtues that made her the great woman she was.

What aspect of Mama’s life would you recommend for Nigerian women?

Mama was a very disciplined person, she worked tirelessly and was vigilant.

She abhorred laziness and shoddiness.

She was wise in the use of her resources and her capacity to take care of family and friends was admirable. She was a fervent Christian and an exceptionally supportive and loyal wife. She was industrious and courageous. She fought many battles, she was a warrior. I recommend all those virtues to women.

Are Nigerian women adequately represented in governance?

There is no doubt that more and more women are making their mark in government but there is room for improvement in the number.

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JEWEL I wish my mother lived a little longer; she was like a cover —Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu

Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu is the co-chairman, African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc (publishers of the Tribune titles). YEMISI AOFOLAJU provides excerpts of an interaction with her where she reminisces on the virtues of her late mother, Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo, a year after her death.

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HAT are the things you miss in Mama?

I miss her being there.

She was like a cover. I am not young; her grandchildren are not young either. Her great grandchildren too are not all that young.

I have been used to her being there all the time. I wished she were alive a little longer, but she had a good life, she was almost 100 years. I don’t think we could ask for more.

Mama was a very significant part of Papa Awolowo’s life and of course her children’s lives too. She was a silent operator, but very effective; she was clever and smart. She was very deep; she carried a lot in her heart that nobody would ever know. She never wore her heart in her sleeves. She was also very kind, very open; her door was always open to everybody. She was a philanthropist; she loved helping people who came to her for assistance. She never turned anybody back.

She was a highly influential Nigerian, but she was also very humble about it. She was fortunate to have lived so long for almost 29 years after Papa passed on. She deserved all the adulation she got after Papa left because I believe that it was only when Papa left that people really appreciated him and the demonstration of appreciation of course was all showered on Mama. I think she deserved that too because they did the work together.

She was always conscious of what Papa’s wishes would be and she was loyal to him to the end and to the cause Papa stood for and that they both stood for. She was also no longer a partisan politician after Papa’s demise and she was not considered a threat by partisan politicians; therefore she became a Mecca of sort for people to seek advice and blessing which she readily gave to all and sundry. She was a wonderful mother.

Papa claimed that three things were the hallmarks of his success—God, Spartan discipline and a good wife that made him call Mama ‘My Jewel of Inestimable Value’. What were the exceptional things she did that qualified her as Papa’s Jewel?

She was so good to him. Mind you, he was good to her too. She was helpful and she supported him in every way. If you remember, Papa did his BCom by correspondence and he had that degree after marriage

which is very unusual, because once you are married, a lot of distractions are introduced with family commitments; nagging wife or one who did not pull her weight, but Mama was none of such. She worked so hard that she gave him a conducive home to live in.

She gave him peace of mind. Papa used to say that Mama brought him good fortune because some of the examinations he had taken before he got married were passed after he got married. Not many women would look kindly on a man who wanted to go and study abroad leaving three children back home with another one on the way then.

As a student, he completed a three-year course in two years and did his Law degree as well and equally wrote a book while abroad all in two years. Mama worked hard, kept the family. She did not send any distress messages to him at all. On the contrary, she occasionally sent money to him. She told us then that she used to go to the Railway Station where she was buying foodstuffs (tomatoes, pepper, onions among others) brought from Northern Nigeria to sell so as to rake in some money. She did anything and everything to keep the family together and also sent money to her husband. Also when he went to politics, again a lot of women would have asked their husbands what they wanted in politics because Papa was doing very well in his legal practice financially. When he told Mama of his intention, she went

along with him. And when all went wrong, she never at any point in time condemned Papa for his decision, forgetting the good times, saying ‘you brought all of these on us all’. Mama never did. After all the crises, he came back from prison and when the ban on politics was about to be lifted again, Papa decided that he was going back. Mama did not ask him why? She was never opposed to his ambition. She was so good to him. But Papa also over-pampered Mama.

How did he over-pamper her?

He pampered her in so many ways. She was the one that sat at the head of the table for example while Papa sat to her right. She sat in the owner’s corner in the car while her bedrooms were almost two or three times the size of Papa’s bedroom in the house.

Papa gave her everything.

What qualities would you want the womenfolk to emulate in Mama HID? I want women to totally support and show absolute dedication to their spouses and families. Women must embrace hard work and bring up their children rightly by making out time for them because Mama worked; she taught, she sewed. She did all sorts of things when we were still very young from her home shop. Later on, she moved to the popular Gbagi Market in Ibadan. Having said this, I appreciate that these days, it

She never turned anybody back. She was a highly influential Nigerian, but she was also very humble about it.

is not so easy for a family to survive. Then, Mama did what she did then not because the family needed it, because Papa was capable of providing for his family especially when he was in Law practice. They were not ostentatious; they did not spend and try to flaunt any wealth. They dressed moderately.

They did not keep up with the Joneses. All I can say about Papa and Mama is that theirs was a match made in heaven as they were meant for each other. This is why their lives played out the way they did; almost perfect.

What is the aim of putting up a Foundation in Mama’s honour?

I am putting this up because I am so glad that we already have a Foundation in honour of Papa. This is a non partisan way to remember him in an enduring fashion. It is the best way just to take the essence of Papa out of partisan political fray because what he stood for is so good and it is essentially non partisan when you talk about developing human beings generally through the development of every citizen. I think Mama deserves this too because her place in Papa’s life is unique and it is important to show this too because if Papa did not have a good wife, the public wouldn’t have known the Awo that we know today. I think she is a combination of family person, values-driven and an entrepreneur. Her life also has a lot to say, a lot to teach posterity.

How are you coping with the demands of Mama’s projects?

One can only try one’s best. I am determined to keep putting one foot in front of the other, keep moving forward with the assignment at hand. I will try to make my own mark in life, using the values that I learnt from my parents.

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JEWEL A burial still unsurpassed

Remains of Mama arriving at the Tribune House, Imalefalafia

By Kehinde Oyetimi

T

HE day broke like no other, and with the attendant weather condition, it was obvious a special day was in the offing. And then the news broke.

Mama had passed on. It was a shock to many, yet, it was the celebration of a life well spent, for the benefits of individuals, society, nation and mankind. It was a rare showing of unending tributes, songs and high praises, all for Chief (Mrs) H.I.D. Awolowo.

365 days after mama’s departure, it has been an event unlike any other. Since her demise, through to the outpouring of messages to the Awolowo clan, to the final rites of passage and the eventual burial of Mama H.I.D., no other has made such national headlines still.

As Nigeria celebrates one year in remembrance of Mama HID Awolowo, it is worthy of note that not many in recent global history, and, in fact, none in Nigeria has enjoyed such prominence in death as Mama.

Mama remained the admiration of all even in death.

Her Ikenne residence, which played host to elite and lowly alike became a Mecca of sorts, as all came to pay tribute to Mama. It was a national celebration indeed.

Chariot conveying the remains of Mama HID Awolowo

Tuesday, November 17 and Thursday, November 19 featured display of orations rendered by Afenifere, Yoruba Unity Forum, Yoruba Council of Elders, members of the National Youth Service Corps, the United States arm of the Oodua Foundation, the academia, among others.

The schedule of activities for Mama’s burial also featured the presentation of a biography on her, authored

by Professor Wale Adebanwi. In the spirit of further uniting Nigeria as one which is a vital part of the Awolowo legacy, dignitaries from all walks of life, led by former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, graced the occasion with their presence at the presentation of the book entitled: In the Radiance of the Sage: Life and Times of Mama HID Awolowo, a text which chronicles Mama’s presence and her pursuits in life. It was indeed a narrative unrivalled as it presented the many sides and experiences not many people were in the know of about the jewel of inestimable value of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Dance, drums and aesthetics organised by the Ikenne Development Association, Liyanju Family, Awolowo Family, Ligu-Ogodo-Adebowale Family, Sadeke Descendants, Ife Council of Chiefs, Remo Club 1937, Ogunde Theatre Group, various religious organisations, among others, took over on November 24th through to the ushering of Mama’s burial proper held on November 25th, 2015, a day which culminated in the parade of the crème de la crème of society, an event which witnessed the presence of President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, state governors, high profile dignitaries, too many to mention.

One year after her passing, Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo still stands strong in memory as a true representation of a life well lived inFrom left, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; President Muhammadu Buhari; Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran and deed.

Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu at the burial

Mama’s passing was unique on many fronts. The ever-busy Lagos State paused for Mama as it proved itself as the centre of excellence when Mama’s lyingin-state ceremony was held. Mama HID’s presence in Lagos was further testament to the many political travails of the Awolowos. Led by the Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and his wife, Bolanle, it was a parade of dignitaries both from within and outside Nigeria as they converged on Park Lane, Apapa residence of the Awolowos, held on Novermber 15, 2015.

On November 16, 2015, the ceremony moved to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, where the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, and his wife, Florence, as well as the Tribune family was on ground to bid Mama farewell. Following a commendation service held at Agbeni Methodist Cathedral, her body arrived at the Tribune house, headquarters of the African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc. It was a display of affection, admiration and glowing tributes as Ibadan stood still for Mama. Her presence at the Tribune House witnessed a parade of high profile individuals including governors, respected members of the clergy, notable musicians, among others.

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JEWEL

Even after a year, the encomiums still resonate

She not only lived but she lived very well. She meant different things to all yet there was a shared consensus about her. Her life was a gift, one that transcended tribe, tongue and topography. Exactly one year after her death, the encomiums still pour in.

I MISS HER PRESENCE —OGUN STATE GOVERNOR, SENATOR IBIKUNLE AMOSUN “I miss my monthly routine of going to visit her. Indeed, she is sorely missed, not only by me and my family, but also by the good people of Ogun State. “

WE MISS HER MOTHERLY ROLE —OBA ADEYINKA ONAKADE, ALAKENNE OF IKENNE-REMO “Ikenne community misses Mama HID Awolowo. We miss her motherly role just as we miss her pieces of advice.”

WE MISS HER GUIDANCE — MRS OLUTOYIN FAPE “She was such a peacemaker among women. We miss her experience, counselling and guidance in all things”.

SHE WAS BRAVE

WE LOST AN EPITOME OF WOMANHOOD —FORMER GOVERNOR GBENGA DANIEL “Mama’s death closed a significant chapter in our political history. We lost an epitome of womanhood.”

THE DREAM SHE HAD FOR NIGERIA HAS NOT BEEN REALISED

I CAN’T FORGET HER WEALTH OF WISDOM —SIR OLANIWUN AJAYI “Occasionally, I would go over to her place and we would have very meaningful interactions. She possessed a wealth of wisdom. I can’t forget all of this.”

HER LEGACIES STILL SPEAK

— CHIEF AYO ADEBANJO “Nationally, the country has not been better than she left it. It is a pity that the dream that she and her husband had for this country has not been realised.”

—ARCHBISHOP MICHAEL FAPE “A year after the home call of Mama, it is as if she were still present with us physically. Our joy is that through the many legacies left behind, she continues to speak still.”

HER FAITH IN GOD WAS EXEMPLARY

WE MISS HER PASSION FOR GOD’S WORK

— VENERABLE (DR) FOLUSO BABATUNJI “I do know that the faith aspect of her life was so exemplary, and this had been missed greatly in the church.”

— VEN. S. OLADELE ENIKE “As a virtuous woman, she is remembered for her passion for the house of God. She is remembered for her punctuality at church.”

SHE IS UNFORGETTABLE

SHE WAS A WOMAN OF PEACE

— CANON SOSANYA “Mama was a very brave woman. When all were weeping and concluding that Mama would no longer be strong enough to host the Synod that led to the Birth of HID Awolowo Anglican Church, Ewuga, Sagamu, she rode through the storms.”

— REVEREND MICHAEL ODEWOLE “One thing that still remains is the vacuum you left behind in our congregation.

You remain unforgettable in HID Awolowo Anglican Church, Ewuga, Sagamu.”

— SENATOR TONY ADEFUYE, SECRETARY YORUBA UNITY FORUM “She was a woman of truth that we all miss. She was a woman of peace.”

SHE WAS ACCOMMODATING

I MISS HER SENSE OF DUTY, PUNCTUALITY

I MISS HER MOTHERLY LOVE AND AFFECTION

— BASHORUN SEHINDE AROGBOFA, AFENIFERE GENERAL SECRETARY “Mama HID Awolowo was very accommodating and she brought people from all classes together.”

—CHIEF BAYO FADOJU “She was always punctual to meetings. Mama was very thorough. Mama was very, very careful in directing the board of ANN Plc, Publishers of the Tribune titles.”

—SENATOR FEMI OKUROUNMU “Mama Awolowo was a political mother to me, since the days of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), 1978 upwards. I miss her motherly love and affection.”

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We have no option but resume demolition of illegal structures —AMMC Christian Okeke - Abuja

T

HE Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), said it has no option than to resume demolition of structures that contravened development guidelines in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), through its Development Control Department, after owners of such structures failed to utilise government's offer for self removal.

The FCT Minister, Musa Bello, had directed that owners of illegal structures in Abuja be given enough time to remove the structures as a way to inject human face into the demolition exercise.

However, the deputy director, Information and Head of AMMC Public Relations, Mrs Grace Zamani, said at the weekend that some owners of the structures took the gesture for granted.

"The problem is, we have sadly observed that, overtime, people do not heed to such government directives any longer, probably because we now give them enough time in order not to be seen not to have a human face. They tend to take us for granted," she said.

She recalled that the

council, in collaboration with the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and other relevant agencies had, in the past four months, embarked on massive sensitisation

campaign, meeting owners of the illegal structures and slums as well as urging them to remove such structures as they seriously defaced the city.

The director warned that

areas of public interest.

The AMMC spokesperson advised anyone who wished to develop any structure in the FCT to visit AMMC office at No 2, Juba Street, Zone 6, Wuse,Abuja and find out

Varsity sacks 35 staff over paucity of funds THE Federal University, Lafia, has terminated the appointment of 35 of its non-teaching staff over the inability of the institution to pay their salaries.

Professor Mohammed Sanusi-Liman, the vice chancellor of the university, told journalists on Sunday, in Lafia, that the council took the decision due to paucity of funds.

Professor Sanusi-Liman said that the affected staff, who were employed by the institution earlier in the year, comprised 11 corps members, who were retained after their service year and 24 others.

He said the council had directed the management to source for funds and pay off the affected staff since they had worked for over five months without being paid.

“It will be inhuman to keep the staff working when we cannot pay them and that is why the council decided that we

should pay them off,” he said.

According to him, the university has consistently encountered a shortfall of over N38 million in its allocation for several months, which had adversely affected the institution.

He also confirmed that the management had uncovered a job racketeering syndicate in the university, which had

worry about going into New York. We’re not going to let them instil fear.”

All 29 injury victims had now been released from hospital, he said.

Mr Cuomo said that the

offered illegal employment to some people.

“When we got wind of the matter, the management set up an investigative committee which turned in a report that was submitted to the council.

“The university council referred the matter to its disciplinary committee for investigation and appropriate action,’’ he said.

On the post UTME screening of candidates for admission into the university for the 2016/2017 academic session, the vice chancellor said that over 4,000 applicants had been screened.

He added that the council would meet to determine its carrying capacity before the admission list would be released.

Nigeria sues Agip, Total for $635m over undeclared cargoes THE Federal Government is demanding $635 million from two multinational oil companies, Agip and Total, for undeclared crude oil shipped out of the country between 2011 and 2014.

Two cases have been filed at the Federal High court in Lagos by senior lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Professor Fabian Ajogwu, who had handled several

29 injured as gov declares New York bomb act of terrorism A bomb that exploded in New York City was an act of terrorism, Governor Andrew Cuomo said, but no link to international groups has been found.

Mr Cuomo said significant damage had been caused and “we were lucky there were no fatalities”. Saturday night’s blast in Manhattan injured 29 people, BBC reported.

Some 1,000 extra security personnel are being deployed in NY transport hubs.

Mr Cuomo said: “Whoever placed these bombs - we will find them and they will be brought to justice.”

The bomb exploded some days to the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly scheduled to begin today.

A second device, a pressure cooker attached to wiring and a mobile phone had been found four blocks from the site of the explosion in the Chelsea district and was removed safely.

But he said that, as yet, no international organisation such as so-called Islamic State had claimed they were behind it.

Mr Cuomo said: “We will not allow these type of people and these type of threats to disrupt our life in New York. This is freedom. This is democracy, and we are not going to allow them to take that from us.

“They want to instil terror. They want to make you

the current FCT administration was poised to deal with violations to the Abuja master plan, remove and prevent emergence of slums, as well as halt building on sewer lines, green area and other

attack was one of the “nightmare scenarios” a governor must face, but he added: “We have no reason to believe at this time that there is any further immediate threat.”

cases for the Federal Government on aviation, defence, energy, and financial services.

Hearing will begin next week before Justice Olatoregun Isola.

There are indications that Ajogwu will also be filing claims against other multinationals, such as Chevron and Exxon-Mobil The government in the two cases is claiming $490,517,280 from Total E & P Nigeria Limited and $145,848,102 from Nigeria Agip Oil Company Limited.

The statements of claim filed before the court are accompanied by the sworn affidavits of three US based professionals.

The government contendeds that sometime in 2014, it realised a decline in its oil export revenue, adding that this necessitated an intelligent gathering of data, which showed that part of the reasons for the decline was the under-declaration of crude oil shipments made by some major oil and gas companies operating in the country.

from the authorities on what to do so as not to contravene the regulations .

"In order to continue to restore order in our capital city of pride and maintain the sanctity of the Abuja master plan, it is imperative that, from time to time, we embark on removal of structures that hinder development guidelines “No doubt ,we got good response from majority of the residents, who promised to carry out the removal before the two-week ultimatum which expired more than two months ago.

"Still, we had to go out for a reminder by marking most of the structures with demolition notices. But some remained adamant.

“Abuja is one of the few African cities that have been well planned before commencement of development.

And if the removal of illegal structures were not done from time to time, we will definitely have a repeat of Lagos, thereby defeating the aim of relocating the Nigeria's capital to Abuja .

"Immediately after the minister made the statement that he would stop at nothing to restore the Abuja master plan, we commenced sensitisation and marking; so, when people claim ignorance of the exercise, it is not fair to us and they are being economical with the truth."

34

news

Monday, 19 September, 2016

Flood kills woman, 60, renders 500 homeless in Zamfara Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna

H

EAVY downpour in the early hours of Sunday morning had led to the death of a 60-yearold woman, while over 500 villagers were rendered homeless in Gummi town, the headquarters of Gummi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Reliable source told the Nigerian Tribune that over 100 houses were destroyed and that not less than 500 people were rendered homeless as a result of the downpour.

Also, it was gathered that the flood had destroyed farmlands and killed many

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animals.

Speaking on behalf of the victims, Muhammad Bala, called on governments at the federal, state and local government levels to come to their aid by providing them with relief materials to alleviate their loses.

The flood affected Albarkawa, Yardiga, Yartsayasu and Lemawa areas of Gummi town.

Speaking on the development, Vice Chairman of Gummi Local Council, Sa’idu Bawa, urged the people of the area to remain calm while a request for assistance would be forwarded to both state and federal governments.

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35

Nigerian Tribune

Monday, 19 September, 2016

Access Bank Plc RC125384

RETURNS ON SOURCES AND UTILIZATIONOF FUNDS FOR THE WEEK ENDED SEPTEMBER 16TH, 2016 DATE OF RETURNS: 19/09/16 SOURCES OF FUNDS

SOURCES OF FUNDS

SN

SOURCE

DATE OF PURCHASE FUND

EXCHANGE RATE

AMOUNT

SN

SOURCE

DATE OF PURCHASE FUND

EXCHANGE RATE

AMOUNT

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42

UNUTILIZED FUNDS HOMEWARD REMITTANCES HOMEWARD REMITTANCES DOM CONVERSION HOMEWARD REMITTANCES OWN SOURCES HOMEWARD REMITTANCES HOMEWARD REMITTANCES DOM CONVERSION DOM CONVERSION HOMEWARD REMITTANCES DOM CONVERSION HOMEWARD REMITTANCES HOMEWARD REMITTANCES HOMEWARD REMITTANCES DOM CONVERSION HOMEWARD REMITTANCES OWN SOURCES DOM CONVERSION HOMEWARD REMITTANCES HOMEWARD REMITTANCES DOM CONVERSION HOMEWARD REMITTANCES DOM CONVERSION DOM CONVERSION HOMEWARD REMITTANCES OIL COMPANY HOMEWARD REMITTANCES HOMEWARD REMITTANCES DOM CONVERSION HOMEWARD REMITTANCES DOM CONVERSION HOMEWARD REMITTANCES HOMEWARD REMITTANCES DOM CONVERSION DOM CONVERSION HOMEWARD REMITTANCES HOMEWARD REMITTANCES DOM CONVERSION HOMEWARD REMITTANCES HOMEWARD REMITTANCES HOMEWARD REMITTANCES

14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16

314.00 335.50 335.50 314.00 314.00 306.33 314.00 335.50 314.00 314.00 335.50 314.00 314.00 314.00 335.50 314.00 335.50 306.93 314.00 335.50 314.00 314.00 335.50 314.00 314.00 314.00 306.93 335.50 335.50 314.00 314.00 314.00 335.50 314.00 314.00 314.00 314.00 314.00 314.00 335.50 314.00 314.00

1,045.00 6,594.53 22,429.64 258.90 1,438.06 13,809.09 690.73 21,653.13 1.70 1,200.00 30,058.56 318,471.34 1,562.89 256.34 185,560.55 1,880.00 1,000,000.00 56,352.75 284.37 19,356.13 1,149.83 3,507.62 50,877.36 148.87 45.00 104.00 14,130,000.00 169,058.89 250.00 188.51 371.86 80.00 5,744.84 109.95 76.00 275.00 1,026.53 52.98 165.00 118,577.38 317.35 2.60

43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84

DOM CONVERSION HOMEWARD REMITTANCES HOMEWARD REMITTANCES DOM CONVERSION DOM CONVERSION DOM CONVERSION DOM CONVERSION HOMEWARD REMITTANCES HOMEWARD REMITTANCES DOM CONVERSION DOM CONVERSION HOMEWARD REMITTANCES DOM CONVERSION HOMEWARD REMITTANCES DOM CONVERSION DOM CONVERSION HOMEWARD REMITTANCES HOMEWARD REMITTANCES DOM CONVERSION HOMEWARD REMITTANCES DOM CONVERSION HOMEWARD REMITTANCES HOMEWARD REMITTANCES DOM CONVERSION DOM CONVERSION INTERBANK HOMEWARD REMITTANCES DOM CONVERSION HOMEWARD REMITTANCES DOM CONVERSION HOMEWARD REMITTANCES DOM CONVERSION HOMEWARD REMITTANCES HOMEWARD REMITTANCES HOMEWARD REMITTANCES HOMEWARD REMITTANCES HOMEWARD REMITTANCES HOMEWARD REMITTANCES HOMEWARD REMITTANCES HOMEWARD REMITTANCES DOM CONVERSION HOMEWARD REMITTANCES

14-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16

314.00 335.50 335.50 314.00 314.00 314.00 314.00 335.50 314.00 314.00 314.00 314.00 314.00 314.00 314.00 314.00 314.00 335.50 314.00 335.50 314.00 314.00 314.00 314.00 314.00 315.00 314.00 314.00 335.50 314.00 314.00 314.00 314.00 314.00 314.00 314.00 335.50 314.00 335.50 314.00 314.00 314.00

526.00 300,000.00 1,372.48 306.90 263.00 570.00 85.00 59,290.63 69,274.06 5.00 74.90 1,994.86 150.00 565.15 450.00 80.00 1,280.85 37,504.97 264.05 54,098.92 150.70 2,329.65 509.55 120.50 132.02 323,380.83 1,089.70 92.07 89,798.42 506.09 30.61 188.05 1,019.11 77.03 2,062.36 537.96 2,668.67 919.26 200,000.00 2,982.05 191.34 173.54

UTILIZATION OF FUNDS

UTILIZATION OF FUNDS

SN

CUSTOMER

ITEM OF IMPORT

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67

MOHAMMED HARUNA LAWAL DANIEL OKEY ASIERU OLUSEGUN HAKEEM OLOPADE OLORUNSAIYE JOHNSON SUNDAY YINKA TIAMIYUI SEGUN OGBONNEWO NAJEEM O OJUKO ANTHONY EMENGO ADENIKE OMOTAYO CHIMBO OBIAAJUM FRANCIS NOBEL MEDICALS LTD ADEFUNKE ADEBISI OYELEKE EKWOCHI SUNDAY UGWU IJEOMA MAUREEN NWOKOCHA GWAMMA BUREAU DE CHANGE LIMITED QUANTUM PACKAGING NIGERIA LIMITED OWOLOLA NIMAATHALIAH THOMPSON MAKINDE AYODELE AGBEDE JUSTIN IJEH ASUQUO ASUQUO ETIM SARI NIZAR AJAJ ANDEM BASSEY MOBILITY BUREAU DECHANGE LTD STATUS BUREAU DE CHANGE LIMITED BUHARI AMBURSA EDIKAN PETER IKO YEWANDE SHONEYE-VAUGHAN OLAKUNLE MORUF OLUKUNGA NESTLE NIGERIA PLC DAGOGO ERAS DINNEY LOOKMAN GBOLAHAN MARTINS ADA ADEGBOYE BISOLA ADENIKE AJAYI OYIN DANMOLE GABRIEL ABRAHAM CHRISTIAN NWOGBAGA NEDUM PAUL OKAFOR KASHIM BUKAR SHETTIMA RITA EROMOSELE KOROYEED001-I KOROYE DORIS ETAREOTU O.M. ODUKOYA TOSIN OLABOKUNDE HEYDEN PETROLEUM LIMITED MOSUNMOLA ABISOLA OYEDIRAN SEON INTEGRATED CONCEPT NIG LTD GWAMMA BUREAU DE CHANGE LIMITED MERCY CHIJIOKE NZOKURUM AFOLABI O OLAYINKA OLABANJO OLADIPO MOLOKWU UCHENNA NWABUOGO KEHINDE OLOLADE OKE AGWU KALU KALU BRIDGITTE O EPELLE-ASEMOTA CECILIA EMMANUEL INYANG ALADEPE AJIBOLA OLAJIDE SOUTHEY-EFFIONG CHIDINMA UGOCHI ADENIKE OMOTAYO TWISTER TRADE NIGERIA LIMITED UCHE CHINYERE NGOZI CHINWE IFECHIGHA NESTLE NIGERIA PLC ONYESONIC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED GEOFFREY INIOBONG ROBINSON OLUSOLA AKINYEMI LANDE OBASEYIFUNMI KUFORIJI ABIDEMI OLANREWAJU SAL TALABI WASIU OLATUNBOSUN

PTA PTA CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT SCHOOL FEES CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT SCHOOL FEES CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT PTA SCHOOL FEES PTA CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT SCHOOL FEES BDC SALES CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT PTA CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT SCHOOL FEES CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT SCHOOL FEES BDC SALES BDC SALES CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT PTA CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT PTA NESCAFE CLASSIC CHAIN 12(120X2G) PTA MEDICALS COURSE FEE SCHOOL FEES CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT PTA SCHOOL FEES PTA SCHOOL FEES CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT MORTGAGE PAYMENT SCHOOL FEES COURSE FEE PREMIUM MOTOR SPIRIT SCHOOL FEES FRESH FRUITS BDC SALES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES PTA CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES PTA PTA SCHOOL FEES CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT PTA PTA SCHOOL FEES NESCAFE CLASSIC CHAIN 12(120X2G) PTA PTA PTA CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT PTA SCHOOL FEES

DATE OF FUND PURCHASE

16-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sept-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16

EXCHANGE RATE

AMOUNT

SN

CUSTOMER

ITEM OF IMPORT

DATE OF FUND PURCHASE

EXCHANGE RATE

AMOUNT

345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 315.17 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.65 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 307.18 345.56 355.00 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 315.17 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56

4,000.00 4,000.00 1,000.00 2,909.19 6,000.00 3,000.00 14,000.00 866.36 201.96 4,000.00 7,622.00 1,256.60 2,063.70 1,348.50 41,061.49 2,773.95 4,000.00 4,884.13 1,725.00 18,033.35 3,891.77 4,000.00 50,000.00 50,000.00 4,127.00 3,500.00 126.14 4,000.00 65,095.29 4,000.00 2,500.00 820.00 8,460.50 3,000.00 4,000.00 7,500.00 4,000.00 158.80 126.96 2,359.80 5,000.00 650.00 14,130,000.00 5,209.02 49,000.00 8,938.52 1,678.88 4,000.00 4,250.00 4,000.00 156.52 7,141.72 8,091.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 2,275.59 261.96 4,000.00 4,000.00 3,500.00 65,095.28 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 2,500.00 4,000.00 20,534.50

68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133

MICHAEL AJIBOLA SOLA (MAS) VEN.LTD ACCESS BANK UZO IWUAGWU INTERVIVOS BUREAU DE CHANGE LIMITED AIKPOKPO OMOSIGHO OMOLUA ALFAM BEREAU DE CHANGE NIGERIA LIMITED YUI HEE CHING MICHEL JOSEPH GHOUL ALYU M DIKKO BASHIR UMAR KAFAYAT OLUWAKEMI AJIBOYE YUSUF GUNDOGDU TEMITAYO JEANE ADEDIGBA NESTLE NIGERIA PLC DOLLEX BUREAU DE CHANGE TOPSTER BUREAU DE CHANGE LIMITED CFAO MOTORS NIGERIA LIMITED BLESSING IFEOMA DINNEY CASH BRIDGE ENERGY SERVICES LTD JEKWU OZOEMENA ADESHINA MONSURU ONASANYA ONIFADE OLUWATOYIN OLADIPO QUANTUM PACKAGING NIGERIA LIMITED HAFSAT MOHAMMED AMBURSA OKPALANOZIE ANTHONY ONYEMA IKPEFUWA LIZBID NIGERIA LIMITED NESTLE NIGERIA PLC FATIMA U DARMA BALOGUN MUSILIU TAIWO AMAECHI MICHAEL OKOBI IGHOAKPO ANTHONY EDUJE AFOLABI O OLAYINKA BABALOLA RUFUS OLUGBEMIGA ADEBOWALE A FAFORE ABIDOGUN TAIWO ASHMOD BUREAU DE CHANGE LIMITED YESIDE OGUNREMI THOMAS O ADEKUNLE BALOGUNA20023 EDIKAN PETER IKO DARAM BUREAU DE CHANGE NIGERIA LIMITED NESTLE NIGERIA PLC OKWUDILI UGBOMAH ABIODUN FATAI AZEEZ EDOCHIE ROWLAND ADEDAMOLA OLAYINKA ARE CHIOMA EMMANUELLA AARON O.M. ODUKOYA BISI ABISOLA ADEWALE OLANIYI TOLULOPE AWOSOPE FOLUSO ADEDEJI ROYAL GIFT GLOBAL BDC KASHIM BUKAR SHETTIMA ASUQUO ASUQUO ETIM FARMFORTE AGRO & ALLIED SOLUTIONS LTD OLAYINKA IRENE TAIWO BOLATITO ADEBAYO JEGEDE,JACOB,O. - ESTHER,F. EKWOCHI, SUNDAY UGWU AMINAH OLORUNTOSIN ADEDIPE ENARUNI OKE-IFIDON YEWANDE SHONEYE-VAUGHAN REXEL BUREAU DE CHANGE LIMIED AIKPOKPO OMOSIGHO OMOLUA DEBO ELUSINA FATOYE

SCHOOL FEES ADVERTISEMENT FEE CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT BDC SALES CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT BDC SALES PTA CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT SCHOOL FEES CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT PTA CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT PTA NESCAFE CLASSIC CHAIN 12(120X2G) BDC SALES BDC SALES 100UNITS OF NEW CHEVROLET PASSENGER/VAN PTA SCHOOL FEES CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT PTA CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT SCHOOL FEES NESCAFE CLASSIC CHAIN 12(120X2G) SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES PTA SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES PTA SCHOOL FEES BDC SALES CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT PTA CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT PTA BDC SALES NESCAFE CLASSIC CHAIN 12(120X2G) SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT SCHOOL FEES PTA SCHOOL FEES PTA CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT BDC SALES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES PTA SCHOOL FEES PTA SCHOOL FEES CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT PTA CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT CREDIT CARD SETTLEMENT BDC SALES PTA SCHOOL FEES

16-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 14-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 16-Sep-16 15-Sep-16 15-Sep-16

345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 315.17 345.56 345.56 314.50 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 315.17 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 315.17 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56 345.56

7,623.56 29,235.30 1,600.00 50,000.00 258.02 50,000.00 4,000.00 257.35 2,300.00 4,564.25 3,000.00 446.78 2,850.00 63,053.10 50,000.00 50,000.00 10,000.00 4,000.00 10,000.00 8,000.00 4,000.00 25,602.50 3,377.08 140.41 4,000.00 1,600.00 12,252.42 65,095.29 9,836.75 3,500.00 4,000.00 5,394.00 8,250.00 10,000.00 4,000.00 7,024.00 50,000.00 1,071.33 4,000.00 599.35 3,500.00 50,000.00 65,095.29 13,340.25 2,028.25 402.75 21,260.00 1,500.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 735.57 100.00 50,000.00 10,171.58 17,954.42 4,000.00 4,719.75 4,000.00 5,135.00 936.27 4,000.00 1,350.00 1,430.00 50,000.00 500.00 4,000.00

36

south-westnews

Monday, 19 September, 2016

Flood: Osun asks FG to fast track release of N12bn ecological fund Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

O

SUN State government, on Sunday, urged the Federal Government to fast track the release of recommended N12 billion ecological funds to it, with a view to tackle environmental disaster in the state.

The state consultant on

Urban Planning, Environment and Sanitation, Honourable Bola Ilori, made the appeal while monitoring the dredging of waterways along Rasco area, affected by recent flood that ravaged parts of Osogbo, the state capital.

Ilori, who lamented that the state was shocked by the last week flood disaster, contended that “we did not

expect such level of flooding considering the efforts that had been put into dredging in the past five years.”

He argued that “a critical study of the situation showed that the main cause of the problem was the uncoordinated release of water from Asa Dam in Kwara State that subsequently forced Owala Dam to open its gates, which laid the

foundation for the eventual flood that our people witnessed.”

According to Ilori, “we have applied for the ecological funds and its on record that Osun State has not received anything from ecological fund in the last five to six years since Governor Rauf Aregbesola came on board, yet we have dredged over 270 kilometres of wa-

terways, carting out 4.3 million metric tons of sand and debris in the last six years.”

Ilori explained that Osun expended N2.8 billion on dredging of waterways over the period of five years, saying that “this year, we have not really dredged anything because of the financial challenges in the state.”

According to him, “the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission had, upon evaluation of the state’s ecological situation, recommended N12 billion for Osun last year September, but nothing has been released. If the money had been released, the government would be able to pay outstanding commitment to contractors carrying out dredging activities and be able to really line some of its waterways with concrete.”

Oyo to explore cultural tourism for IGR

Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko (right), exchanging pleasantries with Evangelist Matthew Salako of The Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT), while Pastor in charge of GOFAMINT, Moferere District, Akure, Pastor Abraham Akanbi (middle), and others watch at the 91st edition of the monthly divine agenda praise night, at the International Events Centre, The Dome, in Akure, at the weekend.

LAUTECH doctors bemoan half salary payment

By Wale Akinselure THE Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, has bemoaned the payment of half salary to resident doctors, for three out of the seven months being owed them, by the Oyo State government.

Contained in a statement by its President, Dr Sebastine Oiwoh and General Secretary, Dr Ayobami Alabi, the association also chided the failure of the state government to fund the doctors’ residency training and install requisite equipments in the institution.

The association listed the attendant toll of the development on the state as the dearth of specialists, fractured productivity, worsening health indices and poor health delivery by the resident doctors.

Consequently, the association wondered while the resident doctors were singled out for half salary payment whereas other doctors and health workers received their full salaries.

The statement partly read, “We beckon on the listening ears and tender heart of our Governor Abiola

Ajimobi not to single our members out amidst other health workers in Oyo State civil service. All other doctors and health workers in the state civil service are receiving full salary. They have been paid the full salaries from January to March 2016, while we received half of the payments made.

“We want to appeal the

recently implemented decision to pay only doctors and other staff of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, 50 per cent of our salary after being owed seven months.

“The state government has reneged in its promise in the area of funding of residency training. It has also reneged in the installation of some

essential equipment, delivery of equipment by contractors and completion of infrastructures to match the blue print of the hospital.

“The university, in the future, won’t be able to train medical students who will become medical doctors as accreditation will be lost from paucity of needed specialists.”

Oke’s kinsman emerges AA candidate for Ondo governorship Hakeem Gbadamosi – Akure AHEAD of the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State, Mr Yinka Orokoto, at the weekend, emerged as the candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) for the election.

Orokoto, Chief Olusola Oke’s kinsman, emerged as the party’s candidate after his main opponent in the contest, Chief Ojo Fakorede, stepped down.

Speaking after the primaries, the leader of the party in the state, Joshua Adewole, said the crisis within the two major political parties in the state, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) over choice of candidates would turn out to be a blessing for Action

Alliance in the election.

Adewole, who said the emergence of the party’s candidate for the election will change the state’s political calculation for the governorship election, condemned the process that led to the emergence of the candidates of the PDP and APC, saying the two candidates failed to meet the required democratic standard.

He noted that the process that produced Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as APC candidate was corrupt, making the people to lose confidence on the anti-corruption crusade of the party.

He explained that the PDP candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, was imposed on the party by the state governor and noted that the parallel primaries in Ibadan, Oyo State

capital, indicated that the party is not serious about the governorship election.

He stated that the two political parties had failed the people both at the federal and state levels, saying AA would reposition the state in terms of development.

Adewole said the party is poised to democratically mobilise citizens of the state to join hands and rescue power from the current administration.

He lamented over the extinction of the common heritage of the state including Oluwa Glass Industry, Igbokoda; Okitipupa Oil Palm Industry, Ifon Ceramic, Owena Mass Transit, Owena Motels and Olkola Free Trade zone projects which had gulp the state fund running to billions of naira.

THE Oyo State government has revealed some of its plans to engage cultural-tourism potentials, as a means of generating revenue, which will boost the state’s economy.

The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun, said this at the weekend in Iseyin during a facility tour of the old NYSC camp ground, venue of the September 27 World Tourism Day, tagged: Aso Ofi Day. The commissioner, who was conducted round by the Caretaker Chairman of Iseyin Local Government, Mr Saheed Alaran, explained that the state government was making adequate preparations towards a hitch-free day, which would be used to celebrate the state’s rich cultural heritage in Iseyin, the base of the locally fabricated textile, Aso Ofi. Mr Arulogun stressed the need for government and the people of the state to promote the cultural heritage of the state, noting that the new cotton farm initiative by some local governments in the state was a pointer to better days ahead.

He stated that the state government would shortly host a tourism summit, celebrate Amala Fiesta, promote Yoruba traditional wedding ceremonies and resuscitate tourist sites and monuments.

Nigerian Tribune

Posterity will judge Senator Buhari right —Don A don based in the United States, Dr Ola Oyedeji, has joined scores of Oyo State indigenes in commending the efforts of the senator representing Oyo North federal constituency, Dr Fatai Buhari, in ensuring that the abandoned Oyo-Ogbomoso axis of the Ilorin-Ibadan Expressway is fixed by the Federal Government.

The don, who is in the country for the Ileya festival, said he was taking aback when he noticed that work had resumed on the abandoned road.

He said he singled out Senator Buhari for commendation because of his roles, as a member of the Appropriation Committee of the National Assembly, to ensure the road project was well appropriated for.

Dr Oyedeji said that posterity would judge Senator Buhari for putting smile on his constituent.

He also blasted the successive governments for not been sensitive to the hardship and plight of motorists on the expressway before now.

Obokun security receives boost RESPITE appeared to have come the way of the people of Ibokun, Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State, on Friday, following the deployment of an Armoured Personnel Carrier to the town.

The deployment of the vehicle followed its facilitation and renovation by the House of Assembly member representing Obokun state constituency, Honourable Olatunbosun Oyintiloye.

It will be recalled that the area has been under security threats such as armed robbery attacks.

However, there was jubilation in the ancient town, as residents trooped out to receive the vehicle which was led to Ibokun by the lawmaker and security operatives.

Oba’bokun of Ibokunland, Oba Festus Awogboro, commended the efforts of the state government and the lawmaker towards ensuring security of lives and property.

Handing over the armoured vehicle to the DPO in charge of the town, Mr Durodola Taofeeq, Oyintiloye said commercial and economic activities of the town will be revived.

37

Monday, 19 September, 2016 Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 Group Politics Editor tai_adis@yahoo.com

Former president, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Olisa Agbakoba, speaks on wideranging economic and political issues in the present dispensation, in this interview with journalists. BOLA BADMUS brings these excerpts:

N

IGERIA is now in recession, as declared by the Federal Government.

What is your take on development?

Nigeria has had a decline in economic fortune, which is measured by quarterly performances. From Q4 2014, we’ve been going downhill. So, one would have thought that such type of figure would call attention to policy makers that something is wrong. But with the recent second quarter announcement by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), it is confirmed that Nigeria is now in recession, because we’ve got two successive negative contractions and that is what it is. We have this complicated, endemic, malignant, metabolic economic syndrome. And to say that and proffer no solution doesn’t help. The single biggest culprits in our predicament are the banks.

When the United States had the great depression in the 1930’s, the banks were busy speculating and trading, but the president at that time, Franklin Roosevelt, said no and he got the Congress to pass a law, the Glass-Stegall Banking Act, strictly restricting what banks can do. The work of a commercial bank is to lend but if you don’t regulate, things will go haywire. The problem is that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) needs to have more cohesion in regulation, and the truth is that it is not easy. In the United Kingdom, their own CBN, Bank of England, created a special supervision agency, called the Prudential Regulatory Authority; that is all they did. No nation can afford not to regulate.

But, part of the steps in regulating the banks is the introduction of the TSA policy?

Has it occurred to you that the Federal Government of Nigeria is the biggest generator of money, yet they cannot control the rate at which the money is lent? They put the money in the banks and the banks lend the money back to the government at very high rate. That is ridiculous. So, in order to deal with that problem, the government threw the baby and the birth water out by depriving banks of liquid cash called the TSA. But that is not the solution because the TSA funds are sitting idle doing nothing. So, what the government should have done was to tell the banks that, ‘this is our money and we are giving it to you and the lending rate is three per cent.’ So, our biggest challenge is the financial sector.

Aside that, the second biggest challenge we have is that we don’t have a body of economic advisers. The only body constitutionally recognised in Nigeria is the National Economic Council (NEC) and they

What I would do if I were President Buhari —Agbakoba

plan the model of the economy. That absence is one of the reasons we have noncohesive economic policy.

Thirdly, we also need to create a situation where monetary, fiscal and trade policies are clear. I don’t understand how the Central Bank thinks that without printing dollars, it can control the FOREX. Diaspora returns into Nigeria every year is in excess of $20 billion. Where does it go? It round trips because the CBN thinks it can regulate. So, the CBN needs to do what is called quantitative easing, which is easing the pressure by which people assess money. Another point is, what is the strong reason banks can’t do single digit? Banks have that public trust responsibility to assist the government to grow the economy, but the government will not be able to do this unless there is a lot of relevant financial services institutions and laws. I can tell you that 40 years as a lawyer, no bank has given me a dime. Yet, I have borrowed heavily from British banks. So, there’s something wrong if a person at my level can’t access cash. So, who are the people accessing cash, because we need cash to grow business?

Agbakoba

Diaspora returns into Nigeria every year is in excess of $20 billion. Where does it go?

It round trips because the CBN thinks it can regulate. So, the CBN needs to do what is called quantitative easing, which is easing the pressure by which people assess money. meet once in a while for a type of circles.

That is a body that has absolutely no business directing the economic affairs of the

country. So, we need to have a council of economic advisers, made up of experienced people and they will be the ones to

What can we do to get out of the recession?

If we have to get out of the recession, I can recommend what Roosevelt did back then during the great depression period in America. He summoned Congress and made a great proclamation and said, ‘we have to fix this economy.’ I will appeal to the president not to consider this emergency power that is being proposed for a number of reasons. When we had this recessionary trend under former President Shehu Shagari, the Economic and Financial Stabilisation Act passed, which is almost the same thing as this Emergency Bill, failed. So, the way out is not in an Act but in policy. All the leakages in our policies simply require a strong president.

There is only one way out of recession: it is massive bouncing of the economy.

We must spend our way out of recession.

When you go to the hospital and the doctor says you’re anemic, only one thing is done – transfusion. So, how can the government present an austerity programme?

You have to bounce the economy. Niger Delta is crying for money; South-East is crying for money. We all know that SouthWest is crying for money. So, you have public works to spend money on. You will be surprised if there’s a situation, where Julius Berger and co are given contracts to Continues from on pg 38

38

politics&policy

Monday, 19 September, 2016

‘No cut in cost of governance so far’ Continued from pg 37

build roads and you say for every contract, you must have 10 per cent labourers, you will find that the economy will slowly revive. But unfortunately, I am not seeing those things and if it doesn’t happen, we will be looking at a very long term, because a recession cycle is three years.

But great economics, like the former Minister of Greece, can make it; we can recover by Q2 2017 but that requires applying the best possible method. So in essence, there is only one way out of recession; that is, a massive bounce of the economy. There is a conception by the policy makers that an emergency power for the president would mean that they can jump-start the economy; that very notion is wrong.

Those, who have dealt with recession, didn’t pass any law to say give me emergency power. But what you do is to identify the right policies, either fiscal, monetary and trade. Secondly, you must have the right people who understand how to move forward. Again, government should give Treasury Single Account (TSA) back to the banks at single digit rates and supervise the banks; I recommend a lending base of 5 per cent. Also, the CBN must limit its responsibility to monetary policy and take away banking supervision to new prudential regulatory authority, as well as banking ethics to new financial conduct authority. If banks focus on lending and not trading, money will flood the system for productive value.

But, the emergency powers are being sought to quickly reflate the economy and speed up things like procurement?

If the emergency powers will speed up things like procurement, then it is fine. But if it is to strip the National Assembly of its constitutional authority to appropriate money, then it is wrong and I personally will go to court because it is in the constitution and unless you amend the constitution. So, the Emergency Power Act, the way I see it, is simply to allow some of the processes to go quicker. You will recall that the Minister of Finance created efficiency managers in her office, who have direct access to her. I’m not sure that the Emergency Power Act will do what we think it will do; it is what the president determines. If the president says I want this procurement approved in 24 hours, then it will be done. So, the Bill doesn’t do anything, it is the political will that the president exerts that I think is more important.

If I were the president, the first thing I will do, rather than encouraging the president to pass an Emergency Power Bill, is to pass the equivalent of the Glass-Stegall Banking Act. Tell all the banks to lend in this particular direction. That is the only way you can have banks conform.

Why is it that in this recession, banks are declaring billions and billions of naira profit? How come they are not going down? It is because they collect all our monies and they lend it at ridiculous rates, and give it to a few people.

So, we need a law compelling banks to do banking works not trading. If I go to a bank today with a government guarantee LPO for the supply of a 100,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), the banks will jump at it because that is what they want. But, if I go to bank to say I need to import machinery, they won’t budge. So, it is clear that we have a problem but we should not just look at the problem; we need local solutions.

The question that readily comes to mind is where did the rain start to beat us as a nation touted to be the biggest economy in Africa?

You know if you are driving in a car and you keep looking at the rare view mirror, you are not going anywhere; that’s an African problem. If you are driving a car, rather than focus on the road, you are looking at somebody chasing you, you are going nowhere. So, I am not interested in the past; I am not interested in every dog that barks. I am interested in the problem that is facing me today. So, rain beating us can be said to have begun in 1914. Therefore, it’s unhelpful to go back to history. The better option is to say what can we do to get out recession? What is, however, painful is that we shouldn’t be in this posi-

Agbakoba tion at all because we have sufficient capacity. We have resources to generate business and do all kinds of things.

The big problem is for the policy makers to understand that politics is secondary to governance. All I hear is the PDP and APC knocking each other. By the way, the PDP isn’t a party; it’s not an opposition party; it is dead. There is a coffin that has been brought to bury it and put it into the ground. The APC, on its part, is made up five or six components. Everybody knows the APC is not functioning unless you don’t know it. In real terms, we have no parties, and that is the problem. And it is the party machinery that creates policies that drive government. That is why surprisingly, I told my wife that it is good that Donald Trump is in the race for the US presidential election because it gives the African-Americans the opportunity to tell Hilary Clinton that she should not take them for a ride. I don’t want Trump to win, but his participation sets up political pluralism, which is so critical to governance.

The APC government knows that the PDP are jokers and that on current form, in spite of this recession, in 2019, they (APC) will just return; why would they work hard now? But if both parties are grabbing our attention, not about who is going to occupy an office, but about policy, things would have been quite different. So, presently, our parties are not strong enough.

If we are going through pains, I don’t know why they smile at the Federal Executive Council meetings. I don’t know why they smile when there are serious businesses hanging.

You posed a question on how much the government has recovered so far and could not get an answer. Right now a news online quoted the information Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, saying the total amount is N78billion and $3million which he said is too small and here you are saying the government should spend more money even at a time when the government is saying it borrows money to pay its workers monthly, so where is the money to spend?

Look, there is money; it is called assess securitization.

It is a special field of corporate finance. Now, my cousin, a farmer, has a ban full of yams worth about N50million.

So, he came to see me from Onitsha and says he can’t pay school fees of his children. I can say why don’t you sell some tubers of yam or why don’t you give me some tubers of yam and I give you cash? Nigeria is the sixth richest country in crude oil in the world. We have bitumen, we have gas. Have you asked yourself how the NLNG, a Nigerian company controlled by non-Nigerians, makes the stupendous profit they make? Have you asked yourself?

Now, Dr Ebogha, he was special adviser on petroleum, he came up with what I considered the most brilliant idea called ‘Future Market,’ which means you sell upfront. The Chinese are gulping crude oil like mad. You can say to them, ‘give me $50billion and I will sell oil to you.’ That makes it. Do you know the amount of experts we have in this country? We are under utilising this country; Nigeria is a giant. I can sell, if the president permits, $100billion worth of oil; they would jump at it. You just go to the Exchange; that is what the Exchange exists for. What do you think makes the Western countries so rich? It is because they are doing fundibility and securitization. You don’t have to have cash. Is it not a shame that we can’t provide ourselves with power? It is unbelievable. It is like me saying I have a lot of clients and I can’t attend to them; all I can do is to employ more lawyers into my chamber. So, how can a country have demands and can’t meet them and they are complaining there is no money? There is no money because they don’t understand corporate finance and assess securitization; the concept that could be understood very well. So, do you know the amount of bitumen lying under Ondo? Do you know we are standing on money, but the money we have is not in liquid? That is the problem, they are thinking of liquid cash. So, all these are fundability. That is why I say government needs to bring in people who understand how to create money. They need to bring in people who know how to create money.

The government promised to reduce cost of governance. Are you seeing their efforts in this direction?

They haven’t cut cost, honestly no! The need to be frugal hasn’t manifested clearly. If they are all flying private jets and still driving 25-car convoy and still having security votes, then they have not reduced the cost of governance.

I am sure if all the governors’ put their security votes together, we would probably get about N500 billion. So, we need to see frugality; it is one of the conditions upon which many Nigerians will be prepared to take a fiscal policy of the Minister of Finance in raising taxes. When Mr Fowler introduced this N50 stamp duty, it produced N50 billion. But, we have to have the confidence that those who are making us go through pains are also going through pains. It’s got to be reciprocal. But if we are going through pains, I don’t know why they smile at the Federal Executive Council meetings. I don’t know why they smile when there are serious businesses hanging. It is a wrong impression. They are only telling us that we are onlookers; there is no link between us. We are looking at them on TVs, in the papers. They need to get real; they need to come down to earth and feel the pains that we are feeling, because it is only we are feeling the pains. If they feel the pain like most of us are feeling the pains, they would get real. But a lot of them don’t know what the pain the masses are going through because they are served free food.

They need to be frugal. All we are hearing in the National Assembly is billions of naira.

39

Monday, 19 September, 2016 Editor: Wale Emosu tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08111813054, 08055444383

Rio Paralympics : Iranian cyclist dies after crash

Watford’s Roberto Pereya (left) floors Man United’s Anthony Martial as Watford pipped United 3-1.

PHOTO: DAILYMAIL

Watford compounds Mourinho’s woes Hands him third defeat in one week As Man Utd loses 3-1

By Nurudeen Alimi

W

ATFORD FC of England on Sunday compounded Jose Mourinho’s woes as he was handed his third defeat in one week as Manchester United manager after his team suffered a 3-1 defeat away to Watford.

Late goals from Juan Zuniga and Troy Deeney gave Watford a deserved Premier League win.

The hosts led when Etienne Capoue converted Daryl Janmaat’s cut-back, only for Marcus Rashford to level scores from close range.

Zuniga powered in with seven minutes to go, 53 seconds after coming on.

And Deeney then scored a penalty in injury time after Marouane Fellaini fouled Zuniga in the box.

Following a derby defeat by Manchester City last weekend and the midweek Europa League loss to Feyenoord, Mourinho and United have had a rough eight days.

It is the first time Mourinho has lost three consecutive games in a season since February 2002, when he was Porto boss.

But the self-proclaimed “Special One”, who has won eight league titles across Europe and the Champions League twice, has now lost 11

of his past 21 Premier League games in charge of Chelsea and Manchester United.

Mourinho made five changes to his starting lineup from the trip to the Netherlands, with Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic restored to the side, but United were disorganised and ineffective, particularly in the first half.

The United boss looked unhappy with the home side’s opening goal, feeling Anthony Martial was fouled

by Miguel Britos, but he will surely need to look more closely at his own side’s failings as they drifted six points behind league leaders Manchester City.

Hornets boss Walter Mazzarri, who managed Zuniga

at Napoli, leapt for joy when the midfielder applied the finish to Roberto Pereya’s cut-back with his first touch.

Mazzarri had numerous run-ins with Mourinho during their time in Italy with former Inter manager Mourinho saying the Italian was a hard-working “donkey” that would “never become a thoroughbred”.

AN Iranian Para-cyclist has died after a crash during the men’s C4-5 road race at the Rio Paralympics.

The International Paralympic Committee said Bahman Golbarnezhad, 48, suffered cardiac arrest after the incident on a “mountainous stretch” of circuit.

“The ambulance then diverted to the nearby Unimed Rio Hospital in Barra where he passed away soon after arrival,” a statement added.

Golbarnezhad also competed at the London Paralympics in 2012.

An investigation into the circumstances of the accident has been launched.

“We’re looking to gather as much information as we can and as quickly as possible - it should take a matter of days,” said Piers Jones, sports director of cycling’s governing body UCI.

By Nurudeen Alimi

THE stage is set for a football showdown between Sport Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Oyo State chapter and Peace Corps of Nigeria, Oyo State Command on Wednesday at the University of Ibadan Sport

As first Bank, Kano Pillars confirm participation FIBA Africa Zone Three has confirmed that Dolphins Basketball Club has pulled out of this year’s Zonal competition in Togo, which also serves as qualifiers for the African championship.

Administrative Secretary, FIBA Africa Zone Three, Joe Apu, who disclosed this at the weekend said the management of Dolphins gave no reason for its team’s withdrawal in a letter signed by the team’s coach, Okworogun Ochuko.

Apu stated that the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) sent the letter to FIBA Africa, which in turn sent it to FIBA Africa Zone Three headed by Col Sam Ahmedu (rtd). He stated

that Dolphins withdrawal came as a shock and said effort had been made to reach the proprietor of the team, Wale Aboderin.

“We have put a call through to Wale Aboderin to know why his team pulled out of the event. He has not picked his call, but we still

hope to reach him and find out why he decided to pull his team out of the championship,” Apu added.

Dolphins have feature regularly in FIBA Africa events and finished second Zone three last year behind First Bank and also finished fifth at the Africa championship

in Angola.

With this development, the team that finished third in the Zenith Bank Women Basketball l League can take Dolphins spot and vie for a place in the FIBA Africa champions Cup for women in Mozambique in December.

All set for Aspire football Dreams finals in Lagos WITH the over 80 fields of this year’s Aspire Football Dreams scouting programme concluded, the stage is now set for the trials of the top 50 players billed to hold from September 21-24, at the Legacy pitch, National Stadium in Lagos.

To this end, the scouts who went round have released

the list of players selected.

Among those listed are Awosaya Tobi, Balogun Azeez, Sunkami Ajayi, Bello Abdulbasit, Tijani Samson, Gbogboade Ibraheem, Michael Awelewa, Okuna Lawrence and Oyelade Mubaraq.

Others are Taiwo Yinka, Kudus Eletu, Shamsu Ahmed, Abdulahi Ilyasu, Nura Ibrahim, Abraham

The Iranian flag has been lowered to half-mast in the Paralympic Village and a period of silence was observed during Sunday’s closing ceremony.

Masoud Ashrafi, the secretary general of Iran’s National Paralympic Committee, said on Sunday it had requested the body of Golbarnezhad be flown to Iran. The Committee also asked for a full report of the incident from the IPC.

Int’l Day of Peace: Oyo SWAN, Peace Corps play for peace

Basket ball: Dolphins pull out of continental showpiece

By Niyi Alebiosu

Golbarnezhad

Anthony Odoh, Amos Oluwatimileyin, Benjamin Isaac, Owolabi Emmanuel and Joseph Garba.

Also listed are Okeke Abuka, Shedrak Justus, Otote Godwin, John Monday, Timothy Peace, Idowu Kolade, Collins Egbebiker, Oluebube Oguduba, Abel Ononso and Ekedigwe Somtochukwu.

Council football pitch.

The Peace Novelty match is part of events scheduled for this year’s United Nations International Day of Peace which promises to be highly tactical as well as entertaining.

Speaking ahead of the match which is expected to have top personalities from UNESCO and the football fraternity in attendance, Oyo SWAN Chairman, Niyi Alebiosu, told journalists over the weekend that his team having returned from a training tour of Spain would not spare its opponent and that the entire members of the team had been motivated with prompt payment of their allowances. He thus warned the PCN team to expect a good game on Wednesday.

In his part, Patriot Adesina Oludare Adigun, PCN, Oyo State Commandant said the PCN team, which is an affiliate of the United Nations Global Compact, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), The United Nations Economic and Social Council and Federal Ministry of Youth Development are not taking the match with levity as they intend to surprise the Oyo SWAN team.

SIDELINES

NO 16,592

MONDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER, 2016

I

T is universally known already that Great Britain has since voted to be no more part of the European Union. And the biggest “casualty” of that electoral exercise that has entered history and record books as Brexit is none other than the great personage David Cameron, former prime minister and erstwhile foremost representative of British democracy. When he failed in his democratic endeavour and enthusiasm to keep his progressively moving people and island in the European Union, he did what his honour compelled him to do: he gave up his first minister-ship with admirable pride. How many of our top men, our socalled first among equals, would do what former Prime Minister David Cameron of the tiny but very mighty island of Britain did?

Of course our great politicians, as we know, suffer from an unusual superiority complex that blinds them – they, in other words, lose their sight of honour to a superiority complex that turns them into sub-humans. Indeed, their arrogance turns them into a clan of sub-humanity that they are unaware of. Clearly, many of us see them as detestable blabbermouths that we cannot but always detest. But why am I on this subject?

It has recently been reported that David Cameron who became Conservative leader of his party in 2005 and prime minister of Britain in 2010 has resolved to relinquish his membership of parliament which he entered in 2004. In fact, he has stood down as a member of parliament of his constituency of Witney meaning that a byelection for his replacement is close by. He is no more enthusiastic to play a prominent role as an influential and a formidable backbench member of parliament.

Whoever will believe, among Britons and non-Britons, that David Cameron would go this far to underline his bitterness and disappointment at the disappointment the voters who voted to be out of the European Union gave him? The voters failed him. But David Cameron has fortified his honour by his actions so far. His reason for quitting

N150

Less than a year ago, Nigeria had Africa’s largest economy. Today, it is tottering towards the precipice.

It is time to stop boasting and consult those anointed to build. United we soar, divided we shrink!

in&out with Tony Afejuku

08055213059

The example of David Cameron parliament is worth quoting – in his own words: “As a former prime minister it is very difficult, I think, to sit as a backbencher and not be an enormous diversion and distraction from what the government is doing.

“I don’t want to be that distraction. I want Witney to have an MP that can play a full role in parliamentary and political life in a way that I think I would find very difficult, if not impossible.”

This quotation marks and underlines Mr David Cameron as a political and democratic leader who knows and values the true meaning of leadership that is devoid of little or enormous tyrannical propensities. He is very conscious of his status as a true, genuine and enormous democrat of value. He does not want to descend to the level and status of a political animal of a sub-human value. He does not want to yield to any political temptation or psychological consciousness that will torture his honour. He wishes to rise above the arrogance and pettiness of the political godfather who, as we witness every now and then in our clime, endeavours to liquidate the modus operandi of his godsons and god-daughters.

Mr David Cameron is miles and miles

Cameron is miles and miles and miles apart from our political people and so-called leaders who do not allow their political minions and god-children to assert their independence, influence, authority and power. and miles apart from our political people and so-called leaders who do not allow their political minions and god-children to assert their independence, influence, authority and power. We are too familiar with our brand of political leaders who under-nourish, over-impoverish and overexploit mercilessly their god-sons and the people they govern as if they were sub-

humans.

I must quote David Cameron again: “….the circumstances of my resignation as Prime Minister and the realities of modern politics make it very difficult to continue on the backbenches without the risk of becoming a diversion to the important decisions that lie ahead for my successor in Downing Street and the Government.”

Some persons and political critics, including his detractors, may interpret the action and posture of the former British first minister as that of a sufferer of political despair. I would counter this submission by submitting that Mr. Cameron’s is good, positive despair. It is the despair of a man of value. It is the despair of a leader with true human qualities: courage, will power, intelligence, loyalty to his honour and to the honour of his people who voted him into parliament and power which he has now democratically relinquished. His is not the politics and democracy of sittightism and godfather-ism.

The example of Mr. David Cameron is worthy of emulation by leaders of all shades and hues in our clime. Who does not share my opinion? Maybe it is only several of our “great” politicians (and acolytes) who have an inflated and over-inflated opinion of who they are – a balloon opinion of their sub-humanity.

Rousing welcome for Team Nigeria paralympians Saliu Gbadamosi-Abuja

N

IGERIA’S contingent to the justended Rio 2016 Paralympics returned to a rousing welcome as they were cheered by an ecstatic crowd on Sunday evening at the Nnamdi Azikwe international Airport, Abuja.

Various banners showing appreciation were displayed at the airport to welcome Team Nigeria which won eight gold, two silver and two bronze medals to emerge Africa’s best and 16th overall at the end of the games As they disembarked from the aircraft, passengers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport were moved to stand at attention as the national anthem was being played in honour of the Paralympic team.

An emotional Esther Oyema described the reception as encouraging and delightful.

“We are pleased with this turnout, in fact, it

causes us to want to do more for this country and for those of us who will be around for the next paralympics, we shall strive to do better’’, said , who won silver in the Powerlifting Women’s -55 kg category in Rio, said she and her colleagues were motivated to do better at

the next competition.

A representative of the Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, Luca Jonathan Mangset, said Nigerians were proud of the athletes.

“You have done the country proud, we are going to celebrate you accordingly in a more elaborate event. Accept our thanks,” Mangset said

NPFL RESULTS Enyimba Rangers Wikki Lobi Plateau Utd Warri Wolves Abia Warriors

0 2 1 2 1 1 2

MFM FC 0 Sunshine 0 Rivers Utd 0 IfeanyiUbah 1 Ikorodu Utd 0 3SC 0 Nasarawa Utd 1

Watford

3

Man Utd

Crystal Palace

4 Stoke City

1

Southampton

1 Swansea

0

Tottenham

1 Sunderland

0

EPL RESULTS

Team Nigeria’s paralympians being welcomed by musical band at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport .

Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR: DEBO ABDULAI. All Correspondence to P.O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 19/9/2016.

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