19th November 2015 by Nigerian Tribune

nigeria’s most informative newspaper no 16,374

THURSDAY, 19 november, 2015

FG bans importation of 'I better pass my neighbour' generators —P11

www.tribuneonlineng.com

Suicide bombers kill many in Kano GSM market —P10

Nigerian Tribune

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PDP senators protest as Tinubu occupies Ekweremadu's —P39 seat

N2.9bn arms deal

I'm ready for trial, I have a lot to tell Nigerians —Dasuki —P8

"... Presidency desperate to hang some former public and military officers"

Atiku at biography presentation: HID was created to help Awo actualise the vision God gave to him —P10

Kogi poll: Govt closes pry, secondary schools —P41

Senate approves $200m loan for Lagos -P14

Man slaughters 4 of his children —P46

Supplementary budget: Buhari From left, author of the book, Professor Wale Adebanwi; Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of the Tribune newspapers, Mr Edward Dickson; Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu; chief presenter, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Reverend (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran, at the presentation of Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo's biography entitled: "In the Radiance of the Sage, the Life and Times of HID Awolowo," held at Ikenne Remo, Ogun State, on Wednesday. MORE PHOTOS ON PAGES 2,3,4 & 47.

submits N465bn proposal to NASS —P8

CHIEF (MRS) H.I.D. AWOLOWO (1915-2015)

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

BOOK PRESENTATION OF Chief (MRS) HID AWOLOWO’S BIOGRAPHY AT IKENNE

1. From left, Honourable Ladi Adebutu, Mrs Abimbola Jakande, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Sir Olaniwun Ajayi and Professor Wale Adebanwi. 2. Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, welcoming Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to Ikenne. 3. Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu (right) welcoming former Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Dimeji Bankole, to the venue. 4. Chief Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi with Mrs Abimbola Jakande.

PHOTOS: TOMMY ADEGBITE ALABA IGBAROOLA & D’TOYIN

5. From left, book reviewer, Professor Adigun Agbaje, Pastor (Dr) Olusegun Olatunji and Chief Ayo Adebanjo. 6. Mr Bisi Olatilo (left) with Mr Yanju Adegbite. 7. From left, Senator Tony Adefuye, Chief Salvador Adegoke Moshood and Chief Ebenezer Babatope. 8. From left, Mrs Kemi Aderemi, Mrs Wemimo Anifowose and Mrs Abba Folawiyo.

CHIEF (MRS) H.I.D. AWOLOWO (1915-2015)

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

BOOK PRESENTATION OF Chief (MRS) HID AWOLOWO’S BIOGRAPHY AT IKENNE

PHOTOS: TOMMY ADEGBITE ALABA IGBAROOLA & D’TOYIN

7 1. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, chief presenter on the occasion. 2. Professor A.B.O.O. Oyediran and Chief Ayo Adebanjo. 3. From left, Ambassador Ibrahim Mai Sule, Capt Yahya Abubakar, Alhaji Abdullahi Nyako and Dr Azu Ndukwe. 4. From left, Editor, Saturday Tribune, Mr Lasisi Olagunju; General Manager, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr Gbenga Adefaye, Mrs Funke Egbemode, MD, New Telegraph and Tribune’s Senior Manager Sales, Dr (Mrs) Omotayo Lewis.

5. From left, Dr Festus Adedayo, Editor, Nigerian Tribune, Mr Debo Abdulai and Professor Wale Adebanwi. 6. Mr Femi Awolowo (left) with Mr Seyi Awolowo. 7. From left, Bishop Olusina Fape, Senator Tony Adefuye and Chief Salvador Adegoke Moshood. 8. From left, AIG Zone 2, Bala Hassan, Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu and Reverend (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran.

CHIEF (MRS) H.I.D. AWOLOWO (1915-2015)

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

BOOK PRESENTATION OF Chief (MRS) HID AWOLOWO’S BIOGRAPHY AT IKENNE

PHOTOS: TOMMY ADEGBITE ALABA IGBAROOLA & D’TOYIN

7 1. From left, Bishop Olusina Fape, Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and the Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief, ANN Plc, Mr Edward Dickson. 2. Odia Ofeimum and Abimbola Awofeso. 3. Mr Kunle Ajibade and other guests. 4. Dr Deolu Akande and Dr Festus Adedayo. 5. Saheed Balogun and other prominent Nollywood actors.

6. Senator Babafemi Ojudu and another guest. 7. From left, Ambassador Ibrahim Mai Sule, Capt. Yahya Abubakar, Alhaji Abudullahi Nyako and Dr Azu Ndukwe. 8. From left, Senior Manager Advert, Mr Kayode Titiloye; Editor, Nigerian Tribune, Mr Debo Abdulai; Chief Accountant, Mrs Remi Olufisayo; Manager Internal Audit, Mr Peculiar Adegbite; and Sunday Tribune Editor, Mr Sina Oladeinde.

news Justice Akanbi sent on compulsory retirement 5

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

Sunday Ejke-Abuja

resident Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday approved the compul-

sory retirement of Justice Lambo Akanbi of the Federal High Court, Port-Harcourt Division from office for misconduct. The approval by Presi-

dent Buhari is based on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council after its 74th meeting, which was held between November 4, and 5, 2015,

following the various allegations leveled against him by Shell Petroleum Company Nigeria Limited. The allegations leveled against the Judge as con-

Petrol price soars as scarcity persists

No reason for fuel scarcity in Port Harcourt —DPR Dapo Falade-Port Harcourt With Agency Report

The pump price of petrol has continued to increase in towns across the country as scarcity of the product persists on Wednesday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. Long queues have characterised the few fuel stations that are selling the product, while others remained closed. Mr Sulaimon Ayoola, a commercial driver at Orita-Sabo in Osogbo, said the scarcity of petrol was adversely affecting businesses in the area, adding that a litre of petrol was being sold for between N120 and N140 per litre at few fuel stations with long queues. A Public Affairs analyst, Mr Dotun Deinde, described the current situation as unfortunate and urged government to immediately arrest the situation. NAN reports that the situation was the same in Keffi in Nasarawa State as residents urged the government to end the lingering fuel scarcity. Mrs Cecilia Austin, a commuter, said she paid

Edo to donate N30m to rebuild razed market Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has said that the state government will contribute the sum of N30 million to rebuild Dumez market, which was razed by fire, a week ago. Speaking during a visit to the razed market, on Wednesday, the Governor said, in spite of the economic hardship across the country, the government must do all within its means to bring smiles to the face of the people. He said: “we must look beyond our pocket and see how we can raise money to support you. For me, when a woman has no place to sell and buy, her mind cannot be at peace. There cannot be a government without the people and Edo State Government will contribute N30 million to rebuild this market.”

N700 from Keffi to Lafia against the usual N500, adding that the scarcity of the petroleum products was causing untold hardship to her and many others in the area. Mr Haruna Abdullahi, a commercial driver, accused fuel stations of sharp practices, saying that many of them had adjusted their metres above the N87.00 per litre official pump price. Meanwhile, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has said there is no justification for the scarcity of the petroleum product in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. Residents of Port Harcourt have cried out over the huge increase in fuel price as it sells for N350 per litre, as at Wednesday morning. Findings by the Nigerian

Tribune revealed that, while most of the filling stations within the Port Harcourt metropolis had closed shop, black marketers were having a field day, with motorists having no choice than to patronise them. Long queues were seen at the few filling stations where the petroleum product was available for sale, with people spending several hours before it could get to their turn. While the official selling price remained N87 per litre, the marketers were selling for as high as N180 per litre, where available, with the people left with no option than to buy it. The black marketers took advantage of the situation, selling the product for as much as between N6, 000 and N7, 000 in 20-litre jerry cans. The situation was contrary to the directive, on

Hundreds switch to Glo at Enugu Laffta Fest The Coal City of Enugu came alive with on Sunday, November 15, when the Glo Laffta Fest train arrived the South Eastern hub from Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State.

Brief Word Bible Church The Word Bible Church, Palace of Healing, 1, Ganiyu Close, Ajelogo Ketu, Lagos will hold the November 2015 edition of its all purpose prayer, tagged “Satan Shall Be Disgraced in my Life,” (Isaiah 14:12). The three-day event will hold between Saturday, November 21 and Monday, November 23, 2015. The Presiding Pastor and Founder of the church, Prophet Babatunde Kumoluyi and other anointed men of God will minister at the programme.

Prophet Kumoluyi

The Golden Royal Hotel on Chime Avenue, Enugu, venue of the comedy show, witnessed a great crowd of Globacom subscribers, who had waited for their turn to share the comic experience. The news of the event which had gone round the entire city days before, through some market storm by Globacom officials fired the enthusiasm of the crowd. When it became apparent that the show was organised exclusively for Globacom subscribers, potential subscribers who did not want to miss the fun, quickly switched their lines to the Globacom network while some made purchase of new Glo lines, registered and loaded the mandatory airtime to access into the show. Globacom subscribers were full of praises for the company for bringing the show to Enugu. Gloria Obichukwu, a caterer said Globacom has shown that it is truly a Nigerian company by organising nationwide musical and comedy shows to excite and reward its customers. “Glo Laffta Fest has endeared me to Glo, I had to buy two SIM cards and N6,000 airtime for me and my sister to watch the show. From now, it’s Globacom for me all the way,” she said.

Tuesday, by the Minister of Petroleum Resources (State), Dr Ibe Kachikwu, to DPR to seal off fuel stations found to be hoarding the petroleum product and dispense it free to the public. However, DPR attributed the scarcity of PMS and the attendant high cost and hardship the people of the state were experiencing to hoarding of the product by some loading depots in the state capital.

tained in a petition against him include, “That Justice Lambo Akanbi unilaterally appointed Mr Emeka Nkwo of CYN-JAC Nigeria Limited, who was not proposed by any of the parties as referee or valuer in suit numbers FHC/PH/ CS/434/2012 and FHC/ PH/CS/435/2012. “He also appointed the same referee or valuer in Suit FHC/ PH/CS/25/2003, which is another matter involving one of the parties in the first suit. “That he heard and concluded the case without dealing with the Notice of Preliminary Objection on the Jurisdiction of his court. That he sat on the case in the Federal High Court, Yenegoa in Suit FHC/YNG/ CS/30/2013 after a new Judge had been transferred to the state, without a fiat from the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.

“That the Judge also delivered the Ruling in Suit No FHC/PH/CS/07/2009, four months after final addresses were taken without any cogent reason contrary to the Constitutional provisions that Judgment should be delivered within a period of 90 days. “That Justice Lambo Akanbi also dismissed the application to set aside the report prepared by the valuer, CYN – JAC (NIG) LTD and later changed the ruling to judgement, which prevented the respondent from pursuing the application for stay of proceedings at the Court of Appeal. “That Justice Akanbi also failed to give a copy of his ruling delivered on June 12, 2013 to the complainant until June 28, 2013,” a statement by the Acting Director Information of the NJC,”

Produce Biafra leader on Nov 23, court orders DSS Sunday Ejke-Abuja

A Magistrate Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, ordered the Department of the State Security (DSS) to produce the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu unfailingly before the court on November 23, 2015 to answer criminal charges brought against him by the federal government. Chief Magistrate Shuaibu Usman gave the order yesterday following the absence of the accused person in court when the trial was to commence. The DSS had refused to bring Kanu to court despite an order made on October

23, 2015 to that effect. Chief Magistrate Usman insisted that no trial can continue in a criminal case in the absence of the accused, adding that the only condition that can make a court to excuse the absence of an accused person has not come up. The decision of the Magistrate followed a claim by the prosecution counsel, Mr Moses Idakwo that the accused person was not brought to court because of an ordinary application challenging the jurisdiction of the Magistrate Court to continue in the matter slated for hearing. Idakwo told the court that as soon as the motion challenging the jurisdic-

tion of the court has been resolved, the DSS will now produce the accused person in court. However, the submission of Idakwo did not go down well with Magistrate Usman, who reminded the prosecutor that on October 23, he made an order that the accused must at all time be brought to court, throughout the trial. Apart from the absence of the accused in court that stalled the trial, two legal practitioners, Mr Gabriel Egbule and Vincent Ezechukwu Obete engaged themselves in war of words in the open court on the issue of which side is the authentic lawyer to the accused person.

news

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

Terror attacks: Buhari calls for more vigilance Leon Usigbe -Abuja

OLLOWING the latest terrorist attacks in Kano and Yola, on Tuesday and Wednesday, President Muhammadu Buhari has called for increased vigilance among the civilian population, to help ward-off suicide terror attacks on soft targets around the country. According to a statement issued in Abuja by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President, on Wednesday, the president condemned, in strongest terms, the barbaric suicide terrorist attacks in both cities, causing numerous deaths and injuries among civilians. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of Adamawa and Kano states, respectively. President Buhari reassured Nigerians that his administration was very determined to wipe out Boko Haram from Nigeria and bring all perpetrators of these heinous crime against humanity to justice. He urged all Nigerians not to despair in the face of cowardly terrorist attacks, but to have confidence in

the ability of Nigeria’s reinvigorated, well-equipped and well-motivated Armed Forces and security agencies to overcome Boko Haram very soon. The statement expressed the president’s belief that

vigilance was a potential life saver, since security agents cannot be everywhere to deter every planned attack. “Citizen’s vigilance will, therefore, help to reduce the frequency of such attacks,” the statement added.

My instinct made me escape Yola blast —Survivor Kabeer Gwangwazo -Yola A woman who escaped Tuesday’s bomb blast at tipper garage, along Jimeta bye-pass in Adamawa State, has revealed that her instincts made her to run away from the scene of the bomb blast. The woman, who preferred anonymity, said she hawked food at the tipper garage, where the blast occurred. She said shortly before the blast occurred, a stranger came to the garage and started sharing N500 notes, attracting a large crowd, who scampered to get a share of the money. “My instincts told me to get away from the scene as fast as I could, as if I knew going there to collect the money is not a wise idea. “I quickly left the scene as I repressed my greed, knowing that it is unwise

to gather around a complete stranger to collect money, considering the security risks associated with the venture,” she said. Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer of Federal Medical Centre, Yola Mallam Muhammadu Dodo, told Nigerian Tribune that so far, seven victims of the blast have been treated and discharged from the hospital. He noted that other victims were receiving treatment and were in stable conditions, noting that since the advent of the blast, the management had recalled all medical personnel to attend to the situation. Reports indicated that death toll did not rise significantly, as only two persons additionally died after the blast, making the death toll to be at 34.

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

news

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

I’m ready for trial, I have a lot to tell Nigerians —Dasuki Chris Agbambu -Abuja

he former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, on Wednesday, said he was ready for trial, adding that he had a lot to tell Nigerians, while urging them not to believe the allegations levelled against him. The embattled former adviser stated that the good thing was that some of the key actors in the present administration were part of the past process being viciously challenged. In a statement he personally signed, Dasuki said he acted in the interest of the nation and with utmost fear of God during his tenure. “I did not use the office for any self-serving agenda. I occupied the office of the National Security Adviser at a difficult moment in Nigeria’s history, when terrorism was at its peak and I am leaving posterity to judge me accordingly,” he said. Dasuki noted that in a theatrical manner, the Presidency fed the public with many allegations against my person and yet-to-be named former public officers. According to him, to draw sympathy, the Presidency quoted some absurd findings, including extra-budgetary interventions; award of fictitious contracts; 53 failed contracts; payment for jobs without contractual agreements; non-execution of contracts for the purchase of 4 Alpha jets, bombs and ammunition. He said: “For undiscerning Nigerians, they may tend to assume that the allegations were true and pronounce the former NSA guilty as charged. “The statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, who should know better as a former president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and a witness to history, was nothing sort of propaganda to cast aspersions on Dasuki. “To set the records straight, Nigerians should appreciate that the AVM Jon Ode-led panel did not invite the ex-NSA under any guise before arriving at its ambiguous findings. At least, fairness demands that the panel ought to hear from Dasuki, instead of its recourse to hasty conclusions. If the panel had been more patient and painstaking, it would have been availed of all relevant documents on some of the jaundiced findings. “As if acting a script, the Presidency alleged that the panel accused Dasuki of awarding fictitious contracts between March 2012 and March 2015. Contrary to this claim, Dasuki was not the NSA in March 2012 and

he could not have awarded any contract in whatever name. The ex-NSA was appointed by ex-president Goodluck Jonathan on June 22, 2012. “All contracts and accruing payments were with the approval of the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces. Once the expresident approved, the former NSA paid. So, there was due process for every purchase, in line with regulations guiding arms procurement for the Armed Forces. “And Nigerians should note that all the services generated the types of equipment needed, sourced for suppliers most times and after consideration by the office of the NSA, the president will approve application for payment. For sensitive sectors (military/ security), there was no room for awarding fictitious contracts. The conclusions of the panel were presumptive, baseless and lacked diligence. “There were no fictitious contracts; contract sums were not diverted and the relevant services in writing acknowledged delivery of equipment. For all procurements, the Nigerian Army, the Air Force and the Nigerian Navy have their contractors. “While awaiting judicial process on these allegations, it is proper to make some

references to show that the presidency was just desperate to hang some former public and military officers who served this nation at the risk of their lives. “It is laughable for the panel to assume that 4 Alpha jets and 12 helicopters were undelivered. In a memo to the Office of the National Security Adviser, referenced NAF/905/D/ CAS of November 28, 2014, the immediate past Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Adesola Amosu, acknowledged the receipt of the 4x Alpha jets attack aircraft and the helicopters. “On October 21, 2014, the Chief of Air Staff also confirmed the receipt of F-7 N1 aircraft combination of 250 kilogrammes bombs and accessories at $2,894,000, with the cost of freight at $1,200,000. The same Air Force confirmed getting 2xTri Shield 36DG Tactical radars “In another letter of December 1, 2014, signed by L.S. Alao (on behalf of the Chief of Air Staff), the Air Force said it received five containerised fuel storage and dispensing units with equipment. “The Nigerian Army wrote the Office of the NSA to acknowledge the delivery of 14 armoured tanks. In a December 13, 2014 memo, the Brigade of Guards thanked office for releasing N30 mil-

lion for RCA, Operation allowance for Troops on Op Urban Sweep II for third and fourth quarters of 2014. This is apart from the installation of CCT cameras at the Brigade Headquarters, 2 backscatter bomb detection vans and other equipment. “On November 26, 2014, the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, sought for approval of the award of one pair of uniform (in the interim) for the Armed Forces at N165, 375 to ElJahab Mubarak Nigeria and N330,750,000 for two pairs.

“These are some of the acknowledgment letters submitted to me by the end-users (the services). It is not for me to go and find out whether the equipment were delivered or not. I am not the one keeping the inventories. “To show that I have nothing to hide, I submitted a comprehensive list of all requests for procurements by the services, the items bought and those equipment being awaited to President Muhammadu Buhari long before I left office. “If there were issues, I should have been ques-

Terrorists will go to hell —Sultan By Wale Akinselure THE Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar III, has decried the wanton bombings, killings and terrorist attacks around the world, noting that such persons who proclaim the defence of their religion as basis for their killings had committed murder and were destined for hell. Abubakar, who expressed great resentment at the media being awash with people committing suicide and bombings of innocent people in the name of God, averred that such acts were ungodly and unjustifiable. He added that such per-

sons, who vented their religion by blowing themselves up in the name of God, were criminals and misguided to think that such act would lead them to heaven. Abubakar made these remarks when he paid a courtesy call on Governor Abiola Ajimobi at the Governor’s Office, Ibadan, on Wednesday. “It is sad when we see on our television screens that people blow up themselves, killing innocent people, saying they are doing it for God. These people are not venting our religion. They are not doing whatever they do in the name of God. They are criminals

Buhari asks NASS to pass supplementary budget of N465.7bn Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel -Abuja PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has submitted a supplementary budget of the sum of N465,636,926,857 for approval by the National Assembly. The president, in a separate correspondence to the leadership of both chambers in the National Assembly, entitled: “2015 Supplementary Appropriation Bill and upward review of borrowing for the 2015 budget due to funding shortage on the implementation of the Federal Government budget,” explained that N460,636,926,857 was for additional recurrent (nondebt), while N5 billion was contribution to the development fund for capital expenditure for the year ending December 31. The president further explained that the sum of N413,363,134,505 was for the payment of fuel subsidy. According to the breakdown, the sum of N29,958,865,865,512 was for the military on ‘Operation Zaman Lafiya’ and the outstanding balance of the Nigerian Army’s second quarter allocation. Also, the sum of N3,196,089,405 is for the salaries of 72 recruitments, 62 regular combatant and 22 Direct short service.

The amount will also cover N1,500,000,000 , which is for All African Games qualification for Rio 2016 Olympic Games, while N5 billion is for Victim Support Funds. The breakdown also explained that N2 billion was for recurrent adjustment, N10,618,837,435 was for outstanding payment of the severance gratuity and allowances of outdone and incoming legislators and legislative aides. President Buhari noted that the Supplementary Bill was premised on 2.2003 oil production barrel per day, against the initial projection of 2.2782 barrels per day and $48 against the initial $53 per barrel, as well as

N190 for the exchange rate. President Buhari also proposed upward review of borrowing from N882.12 billion, which was proposed by former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan to N1,601.09 trillion. The letter read in part: “Given this new level of expenditure and revenue constraint, the 2015 budget, which had a projected Fiscal Deficit of N1.041 trillion (or -1.09 per cent of Gross Domestic Product, GDP) with the deficit largely financed by domestic borrowing of N502.1 billion and foreign borrowing of N380.0 billion (total borrowing amounting to N882.12 billion), calls for additional borrowing. “The expected deficit aris-

ing from the above is projected at N.103 trillion (or 2.19 per cent of GDP) to be financed by additional borrowing of N1.601 trillion the Debt Management Office. “Accordingly, I deem it necessary to formally request the concurrence of the National Assembly, to please, consider and approve an upward review of the fiscal deficit from 1.09 per cent of GDP to 2.19 per cent of GDP. “An upward review of the new borrowing from N882.1 billion to N2.103 trillion and new funding requirement to address security challenges and other important obligations in the sum of N465.64 billion,” President Buhari stated.

Military nabs another Boko Haram leader Chris Agbambu -Abuja Troops of 101 Task Force Battalion, 7 Division Garrison, in Maiduguri, Borno State, have arrested yet another declared wanted Boko Haram sect leader. The suspect, who gave his name as Abubakar Sadiq, works as night watchman to one Muhammad Daggash. A statement from Army Headquarters, said a closer look at him showed that

tioned. I was just the clearing house, I did not award contracts to my company or proxies. There was no contract awarded or equipment bought without approval from the then president and Commander-In-Chief. I am not a thief or treasury looter as being portrayed. “In order not to endanger the nation's security, there are many salient issues and contracts which I cannot put in public domain. I am ready for trial on all these allegations, in order to prove to Nigerians that I did nothing untoward in office. We will certainly meet in court.”

he was suspect number 28 among the suspected Boko Haram insurgents who were declared wanted by the Nigerian Army last month. In a related development, the Nigeria Police, Borno State command, arrested yet another suspected Boko Haram kingpin, Mohammed Usman, at Abuja Talakawa Ward of Maiduguri metropolis, Borno State. The suspect, who matched

the photograph of suspect Number 40 on the poster containing the photographs of the 100 wanted suspected Boko Haram insurgents, was arrested after painstaking effort and tracking by the police. The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai, commended the vigilante troops and the Nigeria Police, in particular, Borno State command, for their great efforts.

and have committed murder. They are not going to heaven, but going straight to hell, because God said you cannot take a single life without justification. So, for you to blow yourself up, kill people and say you are going to heaven to enjoy, you are mistaken.” Also, Abubakar noted the need for education on the teachings of Islam about the use of force as the concept of Jihad was being misconstrued. “We all know that there is no word that evokes a lot of fear in the world like Jihad. And this Jihad has been misconstrued, used negatively by so-called Muslims across the world. We need to educate people on what Islam says about the use of force, about Jihad which people misuse.” Speaking further, he identified the role of good leadership in addressing the many problems faced by the nation. He, therefore, called on political leaders to discharge their duties with the fear of God and in the interest of the people. “Political leaders must know that the trust that God has put on their shoulders to lead people, must be accounted to God on the day of judgment. If political leaders know that implications of the leadership God entrusted upon them and that they shall account for it, they will know that they must discharge this duty with the fear of God and in the interest of the people," he said. In his remarks, Governor Ajimobi charged educational institutions to proffer intellectual solutions to the socio-economic challenges of the country. He avowed government willingness to work with the University of Ibadan, in this regard. Ajimobi enjoined universities not to exist as a cocoon, but collaborate with their communities for socioeconomic development.

bookreview

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

When two became one: Completing the story of HID and Awo By Adigun Agbaje

t is not in all instances that a book reviewer is also a privileged witness not only to the life of the subject of the book but also to the life and work of the author and the writing of the book itself. As a pre-teenage boy just entering primary school in Ibadan in January 1963 as some of the most dramatic of events captured in the book under review unfolded, I was “witness,” in the unique manner in which only the fertile mind of a pre-teen boy could “bear” witness, to the unfolding of history and the role of Mama H.I.D Awolowo in all that as wife of Pa Obafemi Awolowo and as a maker of history in her own right. As Wale Adebanwi’s former teacher and supervisor at the University of Ibadan, it has been my privilege to watch him work, in the exceptionally profound way that has become the hallmark of his scholarship, on two sides of what he himself calls an entwined story of two lives as one; namely, the story of Pa Obafemi Awolowo amd Mama H.I.D Awolowo. In the process, Adebanwi has given us a rare gift of two seminal books within one year on a most distinguished couple that helped to shape the history of modern Nigeria and indeed of Africa while at the same time providing unparalleled leadership to one of the largest nationalities on the continent, namely, the Yoruba. The first, a 295-page book, entitled, Yoruba Elites and Ethnic Politics in Nigeria: Obafemi Awolowo and Corporate Agency, was publishedto global acclaimin 2014 by Cambridge UniversityPress. Now, Adebanwi completes the story with another 311-page focus on the life and times of Mama H.I.D. Awolowo, described very famously by Pa Awolowo, her grateful husband and life-partner, as his jewel of inestimable value. I will come back to this issue very shortly, but for now permit me to make the point that it took Adebanwi only a couple of months to start and complete the writing ofIn the radiance of the Sage: The Life and Times of H.I.D Awolowo after he was approached by Mama HID Awolowo herself to write her biography ahead of her 100th birthday anniversary. Unknown to all involved, it was indeed a race against time, and all praise must go to Adebanwi for taking this charge very seriously and acting immediately to secure the materials required to give the world this volume of inestimable value on such a worthy person recently referred to posthumously as a mother of Africa. In Adebanwi’s own words (p. vi), writing this biography was quite daunting. It was a task I tried to evade unsuccessfully and then embraced enthusiastically when Mama made it clear that there was no circumvention that would help. Indeed, it remains an honour to narrate the life and times of a woman who defines what I describe in the preface as the grammar of fortitude. The multi-dimensional woman was not only about fortitude; as it is evident in this book she also loved life and lived it to the fullest. I cannot even express how sad I am that she was not able to hold a copy of this book in her hand before she passed on. At the same time, I cannot express how grateful I am to her that, in asking me to extend my gaze from theman with whom I am intellectually and politically obsessed, Obafemi Awolowo, to the woman who was his pillar of strength, I have been immeasurably enriched. Indeed, the reading public has been extremely enriched by In the Radiance of

(A review of Wale Adebanwi’s ‘In the radiance of the Sage: The life and times of H.I.D. Awolowo.’ Ibadan: African Newspapers Nigeria Plc, 2015.xxvi +311pp)

the Sage in several respects, not the least of which has been its role in capturing for eternity data on the life and times of Chief (Mrs) Awolowo that might have been further lost to mortality. For instance, it was very shortly after the author interviewed the immediate past Ooni, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, as part of research leading to the writing of the book that the latter passed on to the great beyond. Again, as hinted earlier, the author has most competently offered us a tale of two eminent personages and major influences in the Modern History of Africa, united by love, loyalty and service to one another, their family, and the Yoruba, Nigeria, and indeed humanity in a unique manner that underscores the unity of the narratives. In the author’s own words (pp. vi-vii), H. I. D. Awolowo’s life and that of Obafemi Awolowo are entwined. I attempt in this book to offer different dimensions of HID’s life. But because her life was interwoven with that of her husband, the story of her life cannot be told in isolation. Truly, she was one face of a corporeal coin. In light of this, writing this book necessarily involved retelling some Awolowo stories to be able to properly fit HID into the narratives. Thus, this book attempts to twin Hannah and Obafemi Awolowo’s life stories. Actually, both are versions of a single story. This can be approached as HID’s version of the Awolowos’ story. The reader is deliberately taken back to Obafemi Awolowo’s own narrative not only to further embed and contextualize HID’s role but to expand it by picking the story up from HID’s perspective. Consequently, what I have done in this book is to put HID’s life in its proper context: a life shared with Obafemi Awolowo. Hence the theme-and the title; that is, a life lived (not in the shadow, but) in the radiance of the man popularly called the Sage. We cannot

account for HID’s life without Obafemi Awolowo’s, and vice versa. I hope the narrative here sufficiently demonstrates this. Distinguished Harvard University’s Professor Jacob Olupona FNAL, NNOM, one of Nigeria’s key intellectual exports to the United States, who wrote the Forewordto In the Radiance of the Sage, captures the essence of the book most succinctly and, since I do not wish to re-invent the wheel in this review, I take the liberty of quoting him thus (p.v): Adebanwi’s insightful and compelling biography deepens our understanding of the enigmatic life and times of Chief (Mrs.) Awolowo, the energetic woman of valour who had accepted the greatness thrust upon her and who in the prime of her life was considered a national treasure by millions of Nigerians. The book provides an in-depth, well-nuanced account of Mama Awolowo, who, in addition to being a loving mother, personified what is best and brightest in African womanhoodhard work, grace, humility, respect, and industry. She was a mainstay of strength to her husband, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the heroic leader of the Yoruba people of Southwestern Nigeria during his political reign. After his death, she became a leader in her own right and rose to the challenges of the time to become a Matriarch of the Awolowo clan, as well as the archetypal mother who guided the collective lived experience of the Yoruba nation that her husband left behind. It is hard to imagine that any scholar other than Wale Adebanwi could do justice to the wide range of information presented in this biography. With its multidisciplinary themes including gender, politics, commerce, spirituality, family, and community relations, the book will be an indispensible reference work for both scholars and a more general audience.

The work also offers a visionary account of Mama Awolowo’s long and purposeful life, which provides a principled, upright role model sorely needed for our youth at this critical time in our history. Adebanwi’s biography reminds us all of the possibility of achieving true greatness in a society in search of moral and civic renewal. The author concedes from the beginning that the book’s narrative draws principally from accounts by Mama, her extended family, friends, political associates as well as those to whom she was connected socially and political even as the positions and perspectives of those who differed from her politically as reflected in the relevant literature and newspapers were also drawn upon. In other words, the book is largely an account of Mama’s life and times as relayed by Mama and those close to her. It is to be hoped that more of such books will continue to be written or commissioned by other public figures - if only to enable us build a future for our country based on a better and fuller understanding of our past and present. This nine-chapter book (excluding its excellent and substantive Foreword written by Professor Olupona, FNAL, NNOM, acknowledgements, and epilogue, provide new evidence, fresh insights and compelling reading on Mama’s life in the contexts of the travails and triumphs of her husband and family in the larger context of the political history of colonial and post-colonial Nigeria and Africa. It is vintage Adebanwi – copiously and painstakingly researched (even within the context of limited time!), technically presented in a most competent manner, literally a beauty to hold and to read, engaging in its logic and arguments, and above all accessible to all from the academic community in its arcane world to the market women and men (now increasingly educated and informed in western ways) in their open, exciting, every-day world. In its appeal and accessibility to all, the book offers timeless tribute to its great subject and her equally celebrated husband for their life-long commitment to making life abundant for all. I cannot end this brief review without thanking the management and Staff of African Newspapers Nigeria Plc, the book’s publishers, and Mr. Femi Jolaolu, Design/Publishing Consultant, for giving us a product that is largely world-class from cover to cover. The design of the front cover, for instance, is simply exquisite, capturing the radiance in Mama’s face for all eternity, with Pa Awolowo looking on admirably. Above all, for those yet to have access to the book, I will let out a little but very important secret: one of the book’s main strengths may yet emerge as its large collection of very rare pictures. By the time you go through the pictures, for instance, you would come to full realization of why Mama remained so beautiful to the end, and why Pa Awolowo called her his jewel of inestimable value. You would also appreciate where all that beauty comes from after you have seen the pictures of Mama’s mother and successful business woman, Elizabeth Adelana, that of her maternal grandmother, Adebowale Oyegunle Oyesile, and of course that of extremely handsome Papa Moses Odugbemi Adelana, her father who, in my objective opinion, appears to have contributed more to our Mama’s eternal beauty. I thank you all for your kind attention. Prof Adigun Agbaje Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Thursday, 19 November, 2015 10 news Atiku at biography presentation: HID was created to help Awo actualise the vision God gave to him From Olayinka Olukoya, Tunde Busari, Tunde Ogunesan and Moses Alao

ormer vice president of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on Wednesday, described the late Yeye Oodua of Ile-Ife, Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo as an extraordinary woman married to the most extraordinary man Nigeria had the privilege to have. Abubakar said this at the public presentation of “In the radiance of the Sage: The life and times of HID Awolowo,” a biography written in honour of the late chairman of the African Newspapers Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles. The book presentation, held at the Awolowo family compound in Ikenne, amid fanfare, with a live band welcoming guests to the venue with the best of Chief Ebenezer Obey’s numbers before the event formally took off. Abubakar, who was the chief presenter on the well attended occasion, stated that Mama was created to help Chief Obafemi Awolowo actualise the vision God gave to him, adding that Mama was a natural partner, who was always beside her husband when it mattered most, including during his political travail. “He (Awolowo) could not have done all that he did and achieved all he achieved and perhaps, could not have survived those difficult political challenges without the counsel, support, patience, prodding and perseverance of his beloved wife, the late Chief (Mrs) Awolowo. “And there is no better qualified person to say so, other than the Venerable Chief Awolowo himself. In his autobiography, “My Early Life,” published in 1968, he said: “Throughout all the changing fortunes of my life, my wife, Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo (nee Adelana), has been to me a jewel of inestimable value. “She is an ideal wife. The outpouring of her love and devotion to me and to our family is exceeding and beyond words. I do not hesitate to confess that I owe my success in life to three factors— the grace of God, spartan self-discipline and a good wife. Our home is to all of us, a true haven; a place of happiness and of imperturbable seclusion from the buffetings of life,” he said. The Turakin of Adamawa added that Mama was more than a loyal and supportive housewife, just as he stressed that she courageously became a leader in her own right and held Chief Awolowo’s political family together during his incarceration. The courage, grace, te-

nacity and fortitude with which the late Chief (Mrs) Awolowo held the fort during Chief Awolowo’s imprisonment and after he passed away, according to Abubakar, affirmed not only what her husband said about her, but that she was a true leader. “She showed that she was a leader of people, including her family, and the SouthWest civic and political community. The Awolowo home remained a Mecca for political and civic leaders, not only from the SouthWest, but also from across the country. Let me borrow from the late Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, who said that the late Chief (Mrs) Awolowo was the best First Lady Nigeria did not have,” he declared. Welcoming dignitaries to the occasion on behalf of Awolowo’s family, Ambassador (Dr)Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu revealed that the former vice president had made it a habit to be present at Awolowo’s family events. She noted specially that Abubakar shared the same birthday with Mama and thus, shifted forward the Founder’s Day of his American University, Yola, to attend Mama’s funeral rites. Dr Awolowo Dosumu, therefore, thanked him for his consistency and others, who also identified with the family. The former ambassador to The Netherlands also showered encomiums on the author of the book, Professor Wale Adebanwi and revealed how Mama personally commissioned him to write the book in commemoration of her 100 years birthday. Former Deputy ViceChancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Adigun Agbaje, while reviewing the book, expressed his delight for being a witness to the life of the subject of the book and that of the author including some dramatic events captured in the book about Mama. Professor Agbaje also commended the author, whom he referred to as his student at the University of Ibadan, for competently presenting the stories of Papa Awolowo and his Jewel of Inestimable Value, Mama HID Awolowo, a couple which, he noted, was united by love and loyalty to their family, Yoruba race and Nigeria, describing Papa and Mama as “two eminent personalities and major influence in the modern history of Africa.” The professor of Political Science said: “From the two sides of what the author himself described as an entwined story of two great lives—Papa and Mama Awolowo, he has given us

a rare gift of two seminal books within one year on a most distinguished couple that helped to shape the history of modern Nigeria and indeed, that of Africa. A couple that produced unparalleled leadership to one of the largest nationalities in the continent, Yoruba. “The first book, Agbaje said was a 295-page book entitled: “Yoruba Elites and Ethnic Politics in Nigeria: Obafemi Awolowo and Corporate Agency,” which was published to global acclaim in 2014 by Cambridge University, adding that Adebanwi completed the story with another 311-paged focus on the life and times of Mama HID Awolowo, described famously by Papa Awolowo, her great husband and life partner as his “Jewel of inestimable value.” Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran, in her speech,

expressed her gratitude to Nigerians for celebrating Mama. She said the genuine love Nigerians demonstrated to the family from Lagos through Ibadan to Ogun State was evident of Mama’s fulfilled life.. “We are happy everybody celebrated Mama. The love Nigerians have shown to her is a testimony to the love Papa had for the country. All of you will live long to also be celebrated,” she prayed. Former Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Dimeji Bankole, on arrival, first paid his last respect to Mama Awolowo, where she was laid-instate at the Efunyela Hall, Ikenne. Bankole saw Yeye Oodua clad in Ankara fabrics laden with white and silver stones and holding a white Bible in the glass casket.

Other eminent personalities on the occasion included Chief Ayo Adebanjo; Sir Olaniwun Ajayi; former Lagos State governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande; Chief Ebenezer Babatope; Honourable Oladipupo Adebutu; Mr Kunle Ajibade; Professor A.B.O.O Oyediran; Dr Gbolahan Dosumu; Bishop of the Remo Anglican Diocese, Olusina Fape; Mr Gboyega Nasir Isiaka; Senator Olabiyi Durojaye and Chief Titi Ajanaku. Also in attendance were Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2, Bala Hassan; Commissioner of Police, Ogun State command, Abdul Majid Ali; Professor Kemi Rotimi; Senator Anthony Adefuye; Mrs Abba Folawiyo; Prince Adeniyi Ademola Adele; former governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, represented by the Managing Director,

Telegraph Newspaper, Funke Egbemode; Editor-In-Chief, Vanguard Newspapers, Gbenga Adefaye, Senator Femi Ojudu; Mr Tunde Fagbenle; Mr Odia Ofeimun and Chief Jayeola Taiwo, Mr Felix Adenaike and Chief Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi, among many others. The duo of veteran broadcasters, Yanju Adegbite and Bisi Olatilo, made a perfect match in effectively coordinating the programme. A galaxy of Nollywood stars were also led to the occasion by Saidi Balogun, as they added spice to the event after the book had been formally unveiled. A full complement of policemen from Ogun State command and their Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) counterparts maintained peace at the venue.

Ogun govt offers free medical services at burial programmes Olayinka Olukoya -Abeokuta In order to make the 11day burial activities for the matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty, Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo, the Ogun State government is offering free medical activities. Nigerian Tribune learnt that medical team had since the commencement of the burial programmes, provid-

ed medical check-ups, free drugs and advice to over 100 people. The team, led by the Medical Doctor-in-charge of Governor’s Office, Dr Adekunle Adeyemi and assisted by the Chief Matron, Mrs Florence Oresanya, added that pregnant women and children from ages 0-5, were also beneficiaries of the free services. Oresanya, while speaking

with the Nigerian Tribune, added that the team would be on ground till November 25. She said: “We have been on ground since the burial programmes started. We were at Lagos, Ibadan and will be in Ikenne till November 25. “We are offering free medical services to different categories of people. We also

attend to pregnant women as well. We give anti-malarial drugs, folic acid, Vitamin C and treated mosquitoes nets to people. “The turnout of people who have come to know their health status since Sunday had been impressive. We refer people with complicated medical issues to our medical doctor,” she said.

HID Awolowo, a woman of faith —Fape Olayinka Olukoya -Abeokuta Wife of the Diocesan Bishop of Remo Diocese (Anglican Communion), Mrs Oluwatoyin Fape, has described Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo as a woman of faith. Fape said this in a short exhortation at a service of songs by the women organisations of the diocese, held at the No 6., Yeye Oodua HID Awolowo Way, Ikenne, Wednesday evening, as part of the burial programmes for the matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty, which entered the fourth day. The diocesan president of the women organisations, said Mama's contributions to women's work in the diocese was enormous and could not be easily forgotten. Mrs Fape, who spoke on the theme: “HID Awolowo: Blessed among women,” likened the mother of the Yoruba race to the Biblical Deborah, who was a woman leader par excellence. “Mama worked among the diocesan women. Her contributions both in kind and cash cannot be quantified. What can we say of her commitment to the progress of the diocese, women's work and youth? We cannot forget easily some of Mama's goodwill messages. I can say about Mama that she loved ministers and service of God.

“She was destined to be the Deborah of this generation. No wonder, there was no dull moment with her,” Mrs Fape said. She noted that Mama experienced challenges in life, despite the fact that she was blessed and favoured by God, saying “she passed through the thick and thin of life with her husband in his political journey. “She passed through test of faith and came out of those trying moments gal-

lantly, like a child of God. She held on to her faith till the last second of her life.” Mrs Fape called on Christian women to emulate the good family virtues of the Diocesan Mother in running the day to day affairs of their respective families. Four Bible readings were taken by the wife of the Bishop of Ijebu South-West, Mrs Tundun Ogunbanwo, Reverend (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran, Ambassador

(Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu and Olori Abosede Sonariwo, respectively. In her vote of thanks on behalf of the family, Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran, said her parents had left them with good heritage. She assured the gathering that the family would keep the good name, describing her late mother as a mother in a billion, a friend and a sister to everybody that had relationship with her while alive.

Suicide bombers kill many in Kano GSM market

•3 killed, 8 injured —Police •20 dead, scores of people injured —Unconfirmed sources Kola Oyelere -Kano TENSION gripped residents of Kano, on Wednesday, as twin bomb explosions rocked the famous GSM market at Farm Centre within Kano metropolis This was as the police said two female suicide bombers killed three persons, while unconfirmed source said no fewer than 20 people were dead and many others injured. According to an eyewitness account, the twin blasts which exploded within five minutes interval, occurred

around 4.15 p.m. at the entrance and inside of the market, when many were going for prayers. The eyewitness said no fewer than 20 people lost their lives, saying the bomb explosion caught people unawares, because their thinking was that it had become a forgone occurrence in the state. However, when the state Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Musa Katsina, addressed journalists at the scene of the blast, stated that six female suicide bombers came to the scene with a Sharon vehicle; two

were dropped at the market, while the remaining four took to their heels immediately. Katsina, who confirmed three persons dead, added that eight persons who were injured, had been taken to an undisclosed hospital. He said police were on top of the situation, promising to track down the perpetrators as soon as possible. The occurrence had forced many shop owners to close their stops, while there was traffic gridlock, as many people were rushing home to avert ugly incident.

businessnews

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

FG bans importation of ‘I-better-pass-my-neighbour’ generators Tola Adenubi-lagos

he Federal Government has banned importation of small generators, popularly called ‘I better pass my neighbour,’ used mostly by the masses. Controller, Lagos Federation Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Madugu Sanni Jubrin, disclosed this in Lagos recently while speaking with newsmen. Sanni also said the command seized 4,733 goods worth N52 million and arrested some suspected smugglers since he assumed duties one week ago. He said the seizures were made possible through intelligence gathering and other measures put in place by the unit with a view to ensuring the supply chains of smugglers were fully blocked. Conducting journalists round the seized items which included 239 bales of used clothing valued at N10 million and 1,120 cartons of the small generators valued at N13.4 million, among others, Madugu said the unit would not relent in its efforts in ensuring that prohibited items are impounded and those involved in its importation prosecuted. “The smaller generators have been banned by the Federal Government because it is causing air pollution and destruction of our lungs and breathing system. That is why they have banned it but people are still interested in smuggling them in, that is why we intercepted them. “If you go to the market, you still see them because people have imported them before the ban. So it is the leftover they had before the ban that they are selling because the law did not backdate the ban and it is not an absolute prohibition.

“It is prohibition by trade which means you cannot bring it in large quantity and sell to the public. That is the type of prohibition we have on this, but if you buy one piece, Customs will not seize it. “We will not relent in our effort. When we see any prohibited item, we will

seize, arrest the people and we will allow the law court to take decision on prosecuting them. So it is better for them to stop smuggling than to continue when they know Customs will catch up with them,” he said. Other items impou nded included 1,182 bags of rice valued at N11 million; 336

Gbemi Solaja – Lagos

2015, a patrol team led by Deputy Superintendent of Customs, Jude Ohagwu, intercepted a truck with 138 bales of used clothing, 98 pieces of compressors among others. Cumulatively, the unit raked in N52. 4 million from all the seizures recorded in one week inclusive of the latest seizure.”

From left, Director, Corporate Affairs, FrieslandCampina Nigeria Plc, Ore Famurewa; guest speaker, Professor Ebenezer Ojefeitimi; Managing Director, FC WAMCO Nigeria Plc, Rahul Colaco and Operation Director, FC WAMCO Nigeria Plc, Tarang Gupta, at the launch of Peak Wazobia at FrieslandCampina WAMCO Head Office at Ogba, Lagos, on Tuesday. PHOTO: ALABA IGBAROOLA.

Ministers challenged to unveil Nigeria’s economic blueprint Gbola Subair-Abuja

Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry Limited (ACCIL) has challenged the newly inaugurated cabinet by President Muhammadu Buhari to expedite actions on giving Nigerians an economic direction which will be contained in the presidential blueprint. The President of the Chamber, Mr Tony Ejikenoyen, gave the charge while fielding questions from newsmen in Abuja “It is imperative to note that an economy without economic direction cannot attain growth,” he said. He urged the minister of trade and investment to swing into prompt actions that would be far-reaching to promote trade and investment, thereby FDI for the overall growth of national economy. He advised the minister to make a quick review of the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) to enable Nigeria’s business community to benefit maximally from the scheme. He said that it was imperative to understand how Nigerians fair in the scheme which was signed into law on 18 May 2000 by the former American President, Mr Bill Clinton.

FC WAMCO launches affordable Peak brands Olatunde Dodondawa-Lagos

A leading diary company, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, has launched affordable brand called ‘Peak Wazobia’ and a range of other low unit portion packs of Peak and Three Crowns evaporated and powdered milk. The aim of introducing ‘Peak Wazobia’ into the market is to increase consumers’ options of quality dairy products. This is because Peak Wazobia costs

N50 per sachet and the company assured consumers that the quality was never compromised. Speaking at the launching, the Managing Director, FC WAMCO, Rahul Colaco, stated that: “We are key players in feeding Nigerians. For us this is a privilege and a responsibility that we are fully committed to. Of course this initiative is fully linked with the pillar of our mission statement which addresses issues of nutrient

SA Insurance pays N1.5bn claims, earns ‘BBB’ rating Standard Alliance Insurance Plc, one of the nation’s leading underwriting companies registered to transact general insurance business, has said that it paid a consolidated claims amounting to N1.5 billion in its nine months’ operations in 2015 just as it has received a ‘BBB’ rating from the South Africa-based Global Credit Rating (GCR) in recognition of its ability to settle verified claims promptly. A breakdown of the above consolidated sum indicates that Standard Alliance Insurance Plc was responsible for a total of N801.1 million claims while the balance of N714.2

jerry cans and cartons of vegetable oil valued at N2.4 million; 1,138 cartons of poultry products valued at N6.8 million; 42 parcels of cannabis called Indian hemp valued at N2 million and frozen poultry products, among others. Sanni said: “In the early hours of 17th November

Nigerian Tribune

million was paid out by its life subsidiary, Standard Alliance Life Assurance Ltd. The claims which were paid out between January and end of September this year to affected policyholders spread across fire and special peril, aviation, marine, motor, oil and energy, general accident, bond and engineering classes of general insurance, as well as the group and individual life policies. The company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr Nelson Egboboh, who disclosed this during a chat with our reporter at the weekend, explained further that a total consolidated sum of N2 billion was paid

out by the company and its life subsidiary as claims to affected general and life policyholders during the same period in 2014.

security. “This pillar focuses on issues of malnutrition which is also a growing national concern. We believe that

with daily consumption of milk through increased accessibility of quality dairy nutrition, consumers have the opportunity of getting

Ecobank Nigeria’s MD, Jibril Aku steps down Dec The Board of Ecobank Nigeria Limited has announced that the Managing Director of the bank, Mr Jibril Aku, will step down on December 31, 2015. By the bank’s internal policy, Mr Jibril Aku, the current Managing Director, having concluded his five-year tenure as managing director, will step down from his current role. Mr Aku will take on another senior role in the parent company of the bank, Ecobank Transnational Incor-

porated (ETI) in the first quarter of 2016. Mr Aku, a distinguished banker, started his banking career with Citibank (Nigeria International Bank), before joining former Afribank Nigeria Plc as Executive Director, Operations & Technology from 2003 to 2005. Thereafter, he joined Ecobank Nigeria in 2006 as Executive Director responsible for the bank’s Treasury & Financial Institutions business, following which he was subsequently

NLNG to take delivery of six new vessels Tola Adenubi-lagos

The Bonny Gas Transport (BGT), a subsidiary of Nigeria Liquefied and Natural Gas Limited (NLNG), is to take delivery of four out of the six Dual Fuel Diesel Electric (DFDE) vessels it placed order for before the end of this year. Specifically, the vessels, constructed by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and

up to 50 per cent of the nutrients that they require daily, which the body cannot make on its own.”

Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), are expected in Nigeria between December 9 and end of the year. The company explained recently that the remaining two of the carriers ordered from SHI are to be delivered next year. NLNG explained that two of the carriers from HHI are enhanced with a capacity of 177,000 cubic metres, a length of 299

metres and a breath of 46 metres, while four others put together by SHI boast of 174,900M. According to NLNG, the purchase of new vessels was a demonstration of the company’s determination to successfully “ride out the turbulence currently affecting the energy industry and remain a trusted partner and contributor to global energy security.”

elevated to the position of Managing Director of Ecobank Nigeria in 2010. The chairman of the Ecobank Nigeria Board, Mr John Aboh, congratulated Mr Aku for a job well done and said he looked forward to the bank improving on the good work that the team had accomplished. He said the board would immediately activate the process of selecting a successor. The successful candidate would be announced before the end of December 2015. In his reaction, the Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), the parent company of Ecobank Nigeria Limited, Mr Ade Ayeyemi, said: “Jibril has been instrumental in leading the Ecobank franchise to its position in the Nigeria banking industry. With the Oceanic Bank acquisition, Jibril positioned the bank from number 13 to its current position of number six in the industry.”

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

foreig naffairs with seyi gesinde

08116954632 foreignnewseditor@gmail.com

IS says ‘Schweppes bomb’ used to bring down Russian plane Abdelhamid Abaaoud was killed after police, conducted an anti-terror operation in the Paris suburb of SaintDenis, on Wednesday. PHOTO: AFP.

ISLAMIC State’s official magazine carried a photo on Wednesday of a Schweppes drink it said was used to make an improvised bomb that brought down a Russian airliner over Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula last month, killing all 224 people on board. The photo showed a can of Schweppes Gold soft drink and what appeared to be a detonator and switch on a blue background, three simple components that if genuine are likely to cause concern for airline safety officials worldwide. “The divided Crusaders of

Abdelhamid Abaaoud, mastermind of Paris attacks, killed

the East and West thought themselves safe in their jets as they cowardly bombarded the Muslims of the Caliphate,” the English language Dabiq magazine said in reference to Russia and the West. “And so revenge was exacted upon those who felt safe in the cockpits.” Western governments have said the plane was likely brought down by a bomb and Moscow confirmed on Tuesday it had reached the same conclusion, but the Egyptian government says it has still not found evidence of criminal action. Islamic State also published a photo of what it said were passports belonging to dead Russians “obtained by the mujahideen”. It was

not immediately possible to verify the authenticity of the published photos. The group, which has seized large swathes of Syria and Iraq, said it had exploited a loophole at Sharm al-Sheikh airport, where the plane originated, in order to smuggle a bomb on board. The airport is widely used by budget and charter airlines to fly tourists to the nearby resorts on the Sinai coast. Islamic State said it had initially planned to bring down a plane belonging to a country participating in the U.S.-led coalition bombing it in Syria and Iraq, but it changed course after Moscow started its own air strikes campaign in Syria. A photo published in Islamic State magazine, Dabiq, shows a can of Schweppes Gold soft drink and what appeared to be a detonator and switch on a blue background.

Woman blows herself up, 7 arrested during police raid

HE mastermind of the Paris attacks, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, has been killed, two senior intelligence officials have told the Washington Post. The terrorist was killed in the early morning raids on the St Denis apartment. Earlier before the news break, reports said a woman blew herself up and a suspected jihadist was killed during a huge police assault in Paris on Wednesday targeting the suspected mastermind of last week’s attacks in the capital. Gunfire and explosions rocked the Saint-Denis area in the north of the capital near the Stade de France stadium from before dawn

as terrified residents were evacuated or told to stay in their homes. Authorities arrested seven people, while five police officers suffered minor injuries in the operation which turned into a seven-hour stand-off between security forces and a group of people holed up in an apartment, AFP said. Gunfire first rang out in the darkness at around 4.00am (0300 GMT) in the streets close to where three suicide bombers had detonated their explosives outside the stadium at the start of Friday’s attacks. Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said telephone surveillance and witness reports “led

us to believe” that Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the suspected mastermind of Friday’s series of attacks in Paris that killed 129 people, had been in the apartment. However, Molins added it was too early to say if he was among those arrested or killed. Abaaoud is an Islamic State fighter who was previously thought to be in Syria after fleeing raids in his native Belgium earlier this year. Residents of the Paris suburb, some of whom were evacuated in their underwear, said they had been caught in a terrifying exchange of fire. Hayat, 26, had been leaving a friend’s apart-

otherNEWS

ment where she had spent the night when the shots erupted. “I heard gunfire,” she said. “I could have been hit by a bullet. I never thought terrorists could have hid here.”

Boko Haram: Facebook activates

‘Safety Check’ after Yola bombing

THE Boko Haram terrorists attack on Yola, Adamawa State, has forced the social media giant, Facebook, to activate its “Safety Check” feature in Nigeria. Over 30 people were killed and scores wounded in the blast that rocked Yola market on Tuesday. Facebook founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mark Zuckerberg, person-

APEC 2015: Obama shuns protocol, interviews Chinese billionaire, Jack Ma UNITED States President Barack Obama took time off at an Asia-Pacific summit on Wednesday for an unusual task, putting questions to Chinese internet billionaire, Jack Ma and a young Filipina entrepreneur on government-business ties in

a panel discussion. Obama joked comfortably with the eccentric founder and executive chairman of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (BABA.N), which is looking to make inroads into foreign markets, including the United States.

During the discussion on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Manila, Reuters said the U.S. president probed Ma on how he thought government and established businesses could help young entrepreneurs.

Jack Ma

Pope says church doors must stay open despite terror fears

Pope Francis

POPE Francis said on Wednesday that the doors of Catholic churches around the world must remain open, despite increased security fears in the aftermath of the Paris

attacks. “Please, no armoured doors in the Church, everything open,” the 78-yearold pontiff told pilgrims in St Peter’s square, Italy’s AGI news agency reported.

“There are places in the world where doors should not be locked with a key. There are still some but there are also many where armoured doors have become the norm.

ally made the announcement early Wednesday in a post on his account. “We’ve activated Safety Check again after the bombing in Nigeria this evening,” Zuckerberg posted after Tuesday’s attack. The social network said its decision to implement the feature, which allows users to “check-in” and let family and friends know they’re safe, came “after the network received a heavy backlash for activating it for the attacks in Paris on Friday, but not after bomb blasts hit the Lebanese capital, Beirut, a day earlier.” Before Facebook activated the feature for Nigerian users, critics had accused the United States-based website of valuing the lives of Western victims more than those in other regions, a charge the social network had denied. Social media users had demanded Facebook to activate the feature after the Yola bombing as it did in France. “After the Paris attacks last week, we made the decision to use Safety Check for more

tragic events like this going forward. We’re now working quickly to develop criteria for the new policy and determine when and how this service can be most useful,” Zuckerberg said. The activation of the safety feature after the deadly Nigeria blast was welcomed by some users on social media. However, some critics still said Facebook’s move was not enough, as unlike after Friday’s attacks in France, the social network did not activate the “flag filter tool,” which allows users to overlay a particular flag on their profile picture as a way of expressing solidarity.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

news

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

Senate approves $200m loan for Lagos Ayo Adesanmi - Abuja

he Senate on Tuesday, approved the third tranche of $200 million loan contained in the Development Policy Operation (DPO) for Lagos State. The request for the loan was sent to the lawmakers by President Muhammadu Buhari and referred to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts on November 3. The Senate had earlier approved the first and second tranches of the loan in 2010 and in the 2012-2014 Borrowing Plans, while the third tranche facility is already captured in the 20152017 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). The approval was sequel

to the consideration of the report of the Senate Ad hoc Committee on Local and Foreign Debts on the Lagos State Development Policy operation III (DPO III) from the World Bank under the Federal Government External Borrowing Plans. Chairman of the committee, Senator Kabiru Gaya, who read the report explained that the DPO facility from the World Bank International Development Association (IDA) was to support Lagos State to build systems and institutions to improve the quality of spending and strengthen investment climate, while maintaining fiscal sustainability. He explained that the condition set by the loan, which is released in tranches, had only been met by Edo and

Algon 3-day conference continues The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) will commence a 3-day national conference on curbing vehicular multiple taxation and thuggery. The conference, in alignment with the directive on Joint Tax Board (JTB), is scheduled to hold at Doris Dey Hotel, Benin, Edo State.

The event will feature presentations from representatives of the ALGON, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Joint Mobile Advert Agency of Nigeria (JMOAN) and the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA). Among other activities lined up for the event scheduled to hold on November 18 to 20, is a product launch.

Lagos states in the whole of the sub-Saharan Africa. The repayment is spread over a period of 25 years with a five-year grace period with an interest of 1.5 per cent per annum and payable on undisbursed balance and 0.75 per cent payable on disbursed amount. Gaya informed the Senate that members of the committee visited some parts of Lagos State as part of the oversight to assess the level of implementation of the project under DPO I and II. He listed the areas visited as Lekki-Ikoyi Link Cable Bridge, Cardiac and Renal centres at Gbagada General Hospital (LASUTH), Network of Roads in Apapa and 27 KM Light Rail on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway corridor to Marina. According to him “Having justified the borrowing and having attained an acceptable debt sustainability level, Lagos State is eligible to borrow to finance light rail project, education, roads and bridges, water and health sector development, among others. “The various projects to be funded from the facility will enhance great economic growth, employment generation and increased revenue generation capacity of the state,” among others.

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS

CHANGE Signed: PDP Elders Forum, Kogi State

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

Thursday, 19 November, 2015 With Tommy Adegbite 0811 695 4631 tommyabijo@yahoo.com

8 1. From left, Kwara State Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Wasiu Odewale; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr (Mrs) Asiat Ayinke Saka; Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed; deputy governor, Elder Peter Kisra and the Commissioner for Social Development and Culture, Hajia Iyabo Adeniyi, during the swearing-in of the commissioners, at the Government House, Ilorin, recently. 2. From left, Mr Tomiwa Igu, co-founder, Young African NGO; Honourable Dimeji Bankole, former Speaker, House of Representatives and Mr Efosa Ojomo, Senior Researcher, Harvard University, at a parley which took place in Lagos. 3. President, National Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Alhaji Kasim Ibrahim Bataiya (right), receiving an award as the Best Haulage Manager in Nigeria from Olushola Seun of On Wheels Magazine. 4. From left, Managing Director, Dees Travels and Tours Limited, Mr Daisi Olotu; Chief Operating Officer of Ajala.ng, Omolua Nwoke; Head, Retail Banking Group, Skye Bank Plc, Nkolika Okoli; General Manager, Tour Brokers International, Odion Chigbufue and an executive of Pasture Travels and Tours Limited, Olufunke Yerokun, at the unveiling of a strategic partnership between Skye Bank and the travel agencies on travel finance. 5. Wife of the Oyo State governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, flanked by Mogaji-Olugbesan

compound, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi (left) and a daughter of the deceased, Mrs Foluke AbdulRasaq, during the 10th remembrance prayer for former Mogaji of the compound, Alhaji Laiwola Labisi-Olugbesan, at Agbokojo, Ibadan, recently. 6. From left, Mr Ranti Ajeleti, former chairman of NUJ, Mr Sehinde Dagunduro, secretary, Edward Ogunjobi, Most Senior Apostle Henry Dagunduro, Chief Layi Opeseitan, Mr Ganiyu Awosanmi, Mr Supo Agbeja and Overseer Paul Badejo, at the burial ceremony of former president of Ijesha Union (Ibadan chapter), Chief Francis Agboola Ayeni, in Ilesha. 7. Brides’ parents, Mr and Mrs Folabi Igbaroola, with the new couples, Mr and Mrs Ayotunde and Taiwo Ajayi and Mr and Mrs Ademola and Kehinde Oladejo, during the wedding at Cathedral Church of Holy Trinity, Omofe, Ilesa, recently. PHOTO: ALABA IGBAROOLA. 8. From left, General Manager, Marketing, Grand Oak Ltd, Mr Brajesh Kumar and Managing Director of the company, Mr Akshay Kumar, receiving Best Performance Trophy from the chairman, Lexcel Group of companies, Mr Ola Rosiji, while the Group Managing Director of Lexcel Group, Mr Anil Ahluwalia, watches, during the group’s third quarter performance review in Lagos, recently.

For bookings, contact ’Laolu Afolabi on 08054681741 or Tommy Adegbite on 08116954631

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

SEND YOUR SHORT MESSAGES TO: 08054005323, 08055001746

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MAPOLY, release our ND results after 12 months OVER 5,000 National Diploma (ND) graduates of the Department of Mass Communication, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun State (2013/14 set) are really disturbed over the non-release of their final year results even after one year. We finished our studies on October 29, 2014, and till date, the final results have not been released. It is because of the nonrelease of the results that we were informed that the school will defer the admission of students who have applied for their Higher National Diploma (HND)

programmes in school for this year. I have personally complained to the Head of Department to look into this unwarranted delay but nothing has been done. The truth is that the nonrelease of the results has denied some of us admission into universities and polytechnics, and for some, gainful employment. I, therefore, appeal to the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and the Rector, Professor Oludele Itiola to look into this issue. Albert Adebule, 08030461538

Kudos to President Buhari

•’Water technology’ innovation in Ibadan! PHOTO: OLUYOMI FASHAKIN

Buhari and his many surprises

S Nigerians waited for the allocation of portfolio to the ministersdesignate, a lot of guesses on who would head which

ministry or the other flew around town. With the announcement of the portfolio last week, many Nigerians were caught by surprise as their

expectations were not met. The ministers, I would say, really fit into the ministries assigned to them. The inauguration of the new Federal Executive Council is a

Oyo CP, come to our aid I want to use this opportunity to call on the Oyo State Police Commissioner, Mr Leye Oyebade, to come to our aid in Oyo town, as area boys have taken over. People of Iyalamu, Lagbodoko, Agunpopo, Tengba, Oja Akesan, among others now live in fear of these area boys, who steal from shops and houses. I don’t think the police in the town are well-equipped to handle the menace of these criminals, and I am call-

ing on the hard working Commissioner of Police, Mr Oyebade, to do something fast. He can assist us by sending reinforcements into the town to curb the

excesses of these criminals. If nothing is done to curb them now, it will be a big problem later. Balogun Tajudeen, 08078856462

pointer to the direction in which the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is heading; I see a government that is ready to diversify the economy. I want to commend the president for being a man who is up to his game. I wish the new ministers well, while urging them to be proactive in their new assignments. Adewumi Tope, 08069451972

On the uncompleted Ile-Oluji Stadium in Ondo I want to use this opportunity to call on the Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, to complete the abandoned Ile-Oluji Stadium.

The governor started the project during his first tenure, but it is yet to be completed. If completed, it would go a long way in keeping

the youth busy, as it would greatly reduce idleness among the youth. Akinyoyenu Toyin Joge, 07067990087.

I want to commend President Muhammadu Buhari for a job well done so far as he pilots the affairs of this nation. With the steps he has been taking, then we will soon achieve a corruption-free nation. It is also a good thing as Mrs Aishat Buhari, the wife of the president, has been reminding the All Progressive Congress (APC) on the need to fulfil its campaign promises. However, on the ongoing debate about the N5,000 stipend for unemployed people, I think it will be better to create jobs instead of distributing the money because some people will see it as an avenue to embezzled money, thereby, going against the anti-corruption stance of the president. I will suggest job creations in each state; the state government should

be given numbers to be employed, irrespective of tribe, religion and ethnicity. Oloyo Toyin, 09054551759

Still on the Biafra struggle WHY is it that the Igbo people are struggling to achieve an independent homeland? Is it because of the oil deposits found on their land, which they are trying to monopolise? Those who are agitating for secession should remember that it wouldn’t come easy, and they should be mindful of the havoc another war will wreak on the people. Akin Obayanju, 08137157097

Appeal to Gov Mimiko I want to appeal to the Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, to focus on Ore and Ode Irele towns in his developmental programmes. These two towns have not really benefitted much from his administration. The roads in the towns are not tarred, and as a result, everywhere is dusty; there are no street lights, no good roads, no recreation centres.

The stadium project in Ode Irele had been abandoned, while the link road to Okitipupa had also been abandoned. Again, I want the governor to know that the Ore expressway needs a pedestrian bridge, which people of the town can always use when crossing the express, instead of risking their lives. Bamidele Akindele, 08172741878.

editorial

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Salute to the Golden Eaglets

EADING into the just concluded FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, the smart money was on the Nigerian representatives, the Golden Eaglets, to win it all. Bookmakers’ confidence was predicated on the fact that the country had been serially successful in this age-group tournament, having followed its first victory in 1985 with three more, the latest being the 2013 tournament hosted by Brazil. In the end, the Golden Eaglets proved the bookmakers right, their 2-0 victory over Mali in the final game making it the fifth time that Nigeria has been crowned world U-17 champions. In a sweet irony, in 1985 when the Nduka Ugbade-led team surprised both itself and the rest of the world to clinch the golden trophy, General Buhari, who at the time held the reins of power as a military dictator, had the honour of hosting the team. Thirty years later, as a civilian president, he is bound to enjoy the opportunity of an encore. We congratulate the team, captained by Kelechi Nwakali; the coaching team, led by former winger Emmanuel Amuneke; and the nation as a whole. The desire of the 2015 team to repeat the glorious outing in Brazil two years ago proves that the taste of success is never stale. While we congratulate the team and wish its individual players success in the pursuit of their professional careers, this is as good an occasion as any to flag other pertinent matters raised by the Golden Eaglets’ victory. Some of these issues have been addressed before by

this newspaper. One is the country’s continued failure to translate undeniable success at the age-grade level to higher levels. For instance, the serial success of the Golden Eaglets stands in stark contrast to the sterility of the U-20 team. After eleven appearances in the FIFA U-20 World Cup, the country has yet to win it once. The same applies to the full national team. After its inaugural appearance in 1994 when it took the football world literally by storm, the performances of the Super Eagles have arguably been on a downward spiral. Is this due to the all too familiar problems with the management of Nigerian football? Perhaps a problem of mentality? Maybe a combination of both? No matter how one views it, it is obvious that there is a problem which requires an urgent solution. In the past, we have recommended a general overhauling of the local league, including drastic improvements in the quality of stadia, playing pitches, and officiating. In the absence of these, it is difficult to make the league an attractive proposition for players. On a more somber note, it is worth remembering that the Federal Government is yet to honor many of the promises it made to the group of players who won the inaugural FIFA U-17 tournament 30 years ago. We strongly urge the Buhari administration to look into the matter with dispatch, and with a view to making immediate amends. As it proudly toasts the heroes of 2015, there may never be a better opportunity for the country to redeem its pledge to the abandoned heroes of 1985.

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opinion

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

Buhari, ministers and the economy By Bolaji Aregbesola

HERE have been numerous studies and debates around the world as to how much influence presidents have on the economy but regardless of the outcome of such studies and the differing views in the debates, the stark reality is that President Muhammadu Buhari will be judged based on the economy aside from security and the fight against corruption. No doubt President Buhari has repeatedly stated that he has security, the fight against corruption and jobs creation through the economy as his top priorities but the president has to pay proper attention to the economy. This writer seeks to emphasise the importance of fixing the economy and rescuing Nigeria from its dire economic and fiscal straits. Since the return of democracy in 1999, the Obasanjo, Yar’ Adua and Jonathan administrations have tried to put Nigeria on the path of economic prosperity with their different economic plans, initiatives and strategies but the Nigerian economy has failed to move towards the expected level of development and that is why the Buhari administration must lay a strong foundation for a steady economic growth with an economic development initiative geared towards the industrialisation of Nigeria over the next 20 to 30 years—as the economy is critical to poverty reduction, jobs creation, prosperity, infrastructural development and improved standard of living. We, therefore, hope that things will naturally fall into place with the appointment of ministers, but our antecedent has shown that these appointments alone do not translate into the desired outcomes except there is a deliberate attempt on the part of members of the administration to work towards the implementation of the economic initiatives of the new government and genuinely dedicate their time, effort and energies towards its success. Most ministerial appointments have only been consolation prizes while only a handful of past ministers have been able to make their mark. The impact of impor-

tant ministries such as mines and steel development, science and technology, transportation, power and finance are yet to be felt on the economy. It is for this reason that the Buhari administration has focused on economic development strategy taking into account certain sectors of the economy that are central to rapid economic development, like making former Lagos State governor, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola the minister of Power, Works and Housing; former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi is Transport minister, while former Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi is minister of Solid Minerals. With the new appointments, President Buhari needs to expand the agricultural sector. The president needs to encourage farming across the country by recruiting about 10 million farm workers yearly who would be registered under the government’s agricultural expansion scheme. These farmers will be provided with arable lands and made to focus on food crop production and animal husbandry with the aim of addressing the problem of food insecurity in Nigeria and also for export to other countries. Government will provide farmers under this scheme with the necessary equipment, machines and incentives. There should also be in place regulations and subsidies for these small-scale farmers. A World Bank report titled ‘’Doing Business 2015: Going Beyond Efficiency’’ ranked Nigeria 170 among 189

countries on the ease of doing business. One of the reasons for this poor ranking is unreliable power supply, and it is hoped that Mr Fashola will tackle this area. Though some Nigerians have attested to the improvement in power supply since the inauguration of the new administration, this government must, as a matter of urgency, initiate a new power project as well as review the National Independent Power Project (NIPP) in order to jumpstart the economy and create the avenue for the resuscitation of the manufacturing sector. Our energy potentials also need to be further developed while ensuring environmental protection. Government need to explore natural gas, renewable energy sources and thermal plants in order to meet Nigeria’s energy demand. A delay in the take off of a power project by the present administration may be dangerous as this was one of the reasons adduced by previous administrations for their inability to complete the project. And with N2.74 trillion spent so far on power since 1999, it is evident that funding is not an impediment to the stable supply of power in Nigeria but high level corruption. It is a shame that our economy has been import dependent for so many years that we have to import simple items such as toothpick. We have helped to grow the economies of countries like India, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand and Mexico who were in our league by importing their goods and creating jobs for their citizens. Now is the time to resuscitate the manufacturing sector. President Buhari, through the minister of Industry, should begin with the textile and clothing industry by reviving it and provide players in this industry with tax cuts and incentives in order to meet the needs of millions of Nigerians who have to depend on the importation of textile materials year in year out. Other stakeholders in the manufacturing sub-sector should also be encouraged by providing them with an enabling business environment and open up opportunities for investment. •Aregbesola is a public affairs analyst.

Olanipekun: Feeling fulfilled at 64 By Sunday Saanu

LIFE, according to an Indian philosopher, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, finds its purpose and fulfilment in the expansion of happiness. But only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contributions, as asserted by a motivational speaker, Tony Robbins, experience life’s deepest joy: true fulfilment. Chief Oluwole Oladapo Olanipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) who is 64 years old today publicly declared in Lagos recently that with all God has done for him, including the recent elevation of his son to the Inner Bar, he feels fulfilled in life. Beyond his son’s achievement, which is a direct result of Chief Olanipekun’s hard work and investment and love for his family, the former Nigerian Bar Association President is indeed a fulfilled man given his own legacies, contributions and achievements in life. In the last 64 years, Chief Olanipekun has been generally acknowledged as a gift to humanity; his ministry, tellingly, positively affects his generation and the next. A quintessential phenomenal philanthropist, Chief Olanipekun, to those who truly know him, is an embodiment of humility whose peaceful carriage, mien, oratory ability and forensic dexterity dazzle and astonish all and sundry almost all the time. He has used his resources to raise the poor from the dunghill. Judges across the country can testify that he never uses a foul language or disparaging remark to address “Mi Lord” in courts, even when provoked, which is the hallmark of a decent and well-groomed individual. This writer met Chief Olanipekun for the first time in 2002 when the Ikere-Ekiti born legal icon became the NBA president after the election of the body at Oyo state Cultural Centre, Mokola, Ibadan. Chief Olanipekun has since then, become a study in many respects. He is cool, calm and collected, yet, very profound in knowledge. One had opportunities of knowing him more intimately when he was appointed the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, University of Ibadan between 2009 and 2013. Interestingly, between then and now, Chief Olanipekun has remained an enigma, one of the few erudite and most ac-

complished legal practitioners whose light shine ever so brilliantly in the firmament of the legal profession in Nigeria. Now, with all his four children becoming legal practitioners and the eldest stepping into the father’s shoes, what more can define life’s accomplishment and fulfilment? If indeed a tree is known by its fruit and a man by his deeds, it could then be safely said that this tree, which is naturally good has produced good fruits and this man, by his deeds is, without fear of contradiction, a societal role model on account of his highly cultivated disposition to men and material even as he fears God tremendously. Chief Olanipekun reveals true humility, always ready to help others. He carries out random acts of kindness, as Princess Diana said, ‘with no expectation of reward.’ In fact, his constant kindness has so much given hope to the hopeless to the extent that those who would ordinarily not have imagined going to school are today graduates, courtesy of Wole Olanipekun Scholarship Scheme which he instituted many years back. Chief Olanipekun, yearly, through this scheme spends millions of naira on many students whose parents he does not know. He believes education is the only weapon against poverty. During his tenure in UI as the Council Chairman, he never collected his stipends running into millions of naira. Rather, he directed that the money be given as scholarships to students in Law, Medicine and Computer Science. He spent a lot of his resources to enrich the university. One of

his highest contributions to the university, apart from the 350 capacity lecture theatre, was his donation of the sum of N10 million to cushion the effect of the 2011 flood disaster experienced by the institution. However, in recognition of his phenomenal kindness, the University, last year honoured him with an Honorary Degree of Law (LL.D). Again, in appreciation of his contributions to national development, the federal government of Nigeria honoured him with the award of Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (OFR) in 2012. What more can bring fulfilment in life than a national acknowledgment of one’s relevance and importance? Today as he is solemnly and reflectively celebrating his 64 years in the land of the living, Chief Olanipekun is challenging the youth to embrace the culture of hard work and integrity. But, if one thinks Chief Olanipekun is given only to legal practice and hard work at the expense of social engagement, one might be missing the point. For instance, this writer did not know that the legal colossus knew how to dance so well until Chief engaged him in a dancing duel at Premier Hotel, Mokola, Ibadan last year where he gathered friends to celebrate the award given to him by UI. Born in Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti state on November 18, 1951, Chief Olanipekun attended Amoye Grammar School, Ikere Ekiti between 1965 and 1969 where he obtained the West African School Certificate (WASC). His academic brilliance informed his appointment as the Senior Prefect. He proceeded to Ilesa Grammar School in 1970 from where he obtained the Higher School Certificate (HSC) in 1971. He attended the Nigerian Law School, Lagos from 1975 to 1976 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1976. He was a junior counsel in the Messrs Oniyangi & Co, Ilorin between 1977 and 1979. In 1980, he became the Principal Partner of Messrs Wole Olanipekun & Co. Perhaps one can only remind Chief Olanipekun of what God says concerning him and his like in the book of Isaiah 3:10: “Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.” Happy birthday Chief. •Saanu is with the Directorate of Public Communication , University of Ibadan.

Thursday, 19 November, 2015 Femi Olukunle Co-ordinating Editor 08158610216

maka nd’igbo Igbo group wants pro-Biafra detainees freed Jude Ossai - Enugu AN Igbo socio-political organisation, Njiko Igbo Forum (NIF) has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to, with dispatch, release unconditionally all detained Biafra agitators including the Biafra Radio Director, Nnamdi Kanu. The forum made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of a meeting held on Wednesday at Ohanaeze Ndigbo secretariat in Enugu. Speaking to reporters in Enugu after their meeting, the President of the group, Reverend Okechukwu Obioha, appealed for the immediate and unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Benjamin Onwuka and all other pro-Biafran detainees. “We still wonder why Senator Ali Ndume, who has been enjoying his seat in the National Assembly and even now as the leader of the Senate, went to lesser Hajj this year, yet he is standing trial on a treasonable felony for sponsoring Boko Haram... The group pointed out that Biafran agitators were non-violent like Boko Haram and for this reason should not be molested. “Boko Haram has been more brutal than the armless and harmless pro-Biafran agitators and it is only if our nation Nigeria is an ‘animal farm’ where though all animals are equal but some are more equal than the others that such could happen,” the group avers. The group, which did not hide its allegiance to the Nigerian nation, also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to, as a matter of urgent national importance, fast-track the process of implementation of the 2014 National Conference report handed over to him, “as we consider it the only panacea to peace, true federalism and calming of nerves to various monstrous and fired-up agitations that may engulf our nation, Nigeria.” They also called on President Buhari to initiate dialogue with agitators of Biafra now that the agitation looked like a tumour before it became cancerous like the Boko Haram terrorists which had gone faceless.

Items presented by a groom at a traditional Igbo marriage Jude Ossai - Enugu

ULTURE, so to say, is people’s way of life. In Igbo land, burial rites and marriage ceremonies vary from one section or community to another. But comparatively, it is agreed that high costs of such social activities in the five Igbo states namely, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo, unlike other climes, are becoming unbearable, hence there is need to review them. It is against this backdrop that the lunch of a research document on societal expectations of men and women, a DFID funded programme, held in Enugu, the Enugu State capital, last week, was apt. Maka Ndigbo observed at the ceremony the worries expressed by many of the participants over extreme demands of Igbo tradition and culture which included high cost of funeral ceremonies and marriages. Interestingly, many traditional rulers, community leaders and other opinion moulders, who were in attendance, raised rhetorical questions as to why such primordial practices should not be discarded even as some used the occasions to show affluence. They noted that such social re-

Uburu people went agog over NEMA relief materials

—pg22

Day Ndigbo met in Enugu over cost of burials, marriages

Cross section of participants including Igwes at the Voices 4 Change forum in Enugu sponsibilities had remained a serious burden on the men folk in Igbo land, adding that the over bloated pressure on them often amounted to deterioration of health which largely shortened their lifespan. According to the participants, the high demands facing men in Igbo land had also led to increas-

MASSOB members protest in Owerri, demand release of Kanu —pg22

ing number of widows in the Southeast geo-political zone. In his remarks at the lunch of the document entitled: “Being a Man in Nigeria: Perceptions and Realities”, packaged by Voices 4 Change Organisation, immediate past Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Usukka, (UNN), Professor Bartho Okolo, stated that some of the unfriendly cultures had really done serious harm to men in the land. Also speaking, Professor Hyacinth Ichoku, also of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, a Reverend Father, disclosed that recent research findings placed the average life span of Nigerian men at 50

years, which is one of the worst in Africa, noting that such phenomenon might be linked to societal stress on the men. The cleric regretted that some Igbo culture and traditions had remained static instead of being dynamic even in a 21st century. For Caroline Enve of the “Voices 4 Change”, the programme was aimed at strengthening the enabling environment for the empowerment of adolescence girls and women in Nigeria. The team leader of the Voices 4 Change noted that the programme was also targeted at adolescence girls and women and those around them, particularly boys, men and traditional, religious, formal and informal institutions. “The goal of working with the above mentioned stakeholders and institutions is to facilitate a desired shift in negative and stereotypical attitudes and behaviours towards girls and woman, and create an enabling environment for positive gender relations as well as a peaceful co-existence. Participants were drawn from various sectors, including nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), civil society groups, religious andtraditional institutions, amongst others.

CREW

Jude Ossai-Enugu -South East Bureau chief 08052817955 Joe Nwachukwu- Owerri 08033271227 Suzy Oruya- Onitsha 08063653735

22 makandigbo

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

Uburu people went agog over NEMA relief materials Jude Ossai - Enugu

UESDAY, November 17, 2015 was like any other day to many people. But to the people of Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government of Ebonyi State, it is a day they will not forget in a hurry as it brought relief to troubled hearts of the affected wind storm victims. They (victims) received relief materials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Indeed, hundreds of people in Uburu, the country home of Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, a one-time state governor and current Minister of Science and Technology, had as early as 7am stormed the market square of the community waiting for the visiting officials from NEMA. With enthusiasm, the youths among them carried the assorted relief materials from where they were kept to the open arena for smooth delivery to the affected victims who included men and women. Speaking at the occasion, the Southeast Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Major James Eze, said that the violent wind storm that occurred was brought to the atten-

Victims of wind storm carrying their relief materials at Uburu community tion of NEMA by the Ebonyi State Emergency Management Agency

(EBSEMA), stressing that there was a joint assessment team of

both NEMA Southeast zone and the EBSEMA to assess the extent

MASSOB members protest in Owerri, demand release of Kanu

MASSOB members protesting in Owerri recently Joe Nwachukwu - Owerri THE recent widespread protest in the some parts of the defunct Eastern Region might not be unconnected with the arrest and detention of one Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the man believed to have established Radio Biafra. The said radio that came into operation last year has been creating waves across the country following its objectives and programmes championing the cause of Biafra nation. Worried by the programmes of the radio station, the Federal Government sent security operatives to find out the location and people behind the establishment. The committee established by the government revealed that one Mazi Kanu was brain behind it and immediately, Federal Government started planning how to get him

arrested and find out from him his idea and purpose of establishing the radio station that ran contrary to the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria. Apparently unknown that the law of land would one day catch up with him, kanu flew in to the country with the intention of beating the security operatives at the airport, but he was immediately arrested and taken away for interrogation of by security operatives. Maka Ndigbo authoritatively learnt that Mazi Kanu flew into the country through one of the country’s international airports on the day of his arrest after receiving calls and messages that his parents were sick and required some medical attention for their quick recovery. It was his home coming to take care of his parents that ensured his arrest. Apparently informed that the

man championing their cause of Biafra on the radio station had been arrested and was being interrogated by the security agencies, pro-Biafra youths in the SouthEast decided to protest his arrest and demand his unconditional release from detention to allow the Biafra agitators have their own country now that the union, which established the entire country, had clocked one century. The protest spread to Aba, Port Harcour, Yenagoa and Owerri, as youths in Onitsha, Awka, and Abakaliki are said to be bracing up for their own protest. Meanwhile, Governor Okorocha of Imo State and Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum, will meet with other governors in the SouthEast, the leadership of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo and other stakeholders in the geo-political zone to talk and agree on how to check the ac-

tivities of pro-Biafra groups in the area. The meeting is expected to take place this weekend in Owerri, the Imo State capital. Already, the governor has begun to make all the necessary contacts to ensure that all those expected to be at the meeting would be in attendance. Okorocha had earlier, while taking exception to the pro-Biafra violent protests in some of the South-East states and few other neighbouring states, dissociated the governors and leaders in the South-East states from the MASSOB protests, describing the whole exercise as embarrassing, disturbing, counter-productive and to a large extent, distracting. According to him, the pro-Biafra protests cannot be in the interest of the South-East people, but are only sending wrong signals to the rest of Nigerians. He added that it had become increasingly necessary for the governors in the zone, Ohaneze leaders and other stakeholders in the area to meet and call a spade a spade. It is also expected that at the end of the Owerri meeting, the governors and other leaders will take a common position and will also invite the leaders of the proBiafra groups for a meeting to let them know the socio-economic and political implications of their activities including their demand for sovereignty in a united Nigeria. Governor Okorocha said the governors and leaders in the zone could no longer sit and watch the whole situation degenerate, noting that the Igbos, as a people, could not afford to have its own kind of Boko Haram.

of damage to lives and property. Eze noted that the assessment conducted by the joint team revealed that several buildings, residential and commercial, had their roofs blown off while pylons and trees were pulled down leading to displacement of residents and dislocation of means of livelihood. “Regrettably, the affected persons do not have the capacity to rebuild their houses or restart their businesses. The officials of NEMA promised to report the incident to the NENA Director-General, Alhaji Mohammed Sani Sidi, who transmitted the message to the Federal Government” “The responsiveness of the Federal Government to the plight of disaster victims has been quite prompt and encouraging. We have since received an approval of relief items from the Director-General of NEMA, Mohammed Sani Sidi and that is why we have brought all these materials here today” Eze told the victims that the relief materials were not to replace what they lost during the violent wind storm, but to cushion the effect of the unfortunate incident. He advised the people of Uburu to stem further disaster by planting trees to ring the community, adding that it would act as wind breakers. “Huge trees near buildings that have become risks should be cut to save lives and property; shrubs should be planted near houses not trees. The practice will reduce the effects of violent winds and also act as risk reduction scheme”, he stressed. Speaking to Maka Ndigbo at the occasion, one of the leaders of the community, Reverend Michael Ani of Reformed Presbyterian Church, said he was delighted to see his people receive the relief materials, commending NEMA and Federal Government for making the gesture possible. Reverend Ani said: “We have been receiving relief materials before because there have been wind storm incidents in this area in the past, but the one today is the highest and I commend NEMA and government for this gesture. These materials will go a long way in cushioning the effects of the disaster on the victims”, he added. One of the victims who gave his name as Okorie Ikechukwu said he was overwhelmed and would continue praising God for giving wisdom to government to execute the project, adding that the relief materials he received would help solve the problem of rebuilding his house whose roof was blown off by wind this year. The high point of the ceremony was the formal presentation of the relief materials to the state emergency agency who in turn delivered them to the victims. Among the relief materials were bags of rice, beans, garri, cartons of soya plus, beans flour, vegetable oil, pieces of mattresses, nylon mats, plastic bucket, roofing sheets, zinc, bags of cement, blankets, palm oil.

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

campusbeats

Doyin Adeoye 08058130577 kreatifink@yahoo.com

TASUED: 10 years of landmark achievements —VC

The Vice Chancellor of the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ogun State, Professor Oluyemisi Obilade spoke with journalists recently ahead of the university’s 10th anniversary and 2015 convocation ceremonies set to begin tomorrow. OLAYINKA OLUKOYA and DOYIN ADEOYE bring the report.

espite being the first university of education in the nation, the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), no doubt, has a benchmark for other universities in the country in the 10 years of its existence. The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Oluyemisi Obilade, hinted this at a press conference held at the institution recently. “Being the first university of education in Nigeria, second in Africa and the eighth in the world, otherwise known as ‘Formula 1-2-8 University,’ the university has become a resource centre for institutions of learning, both in Nigeria and in the diaspora,” she said. With over 6,000 students graduating at its forthcoming convocation, the institution is known for issuing its graduates two different certificates, one in their primary course of study and the other in vocational skills; a unique trait the university prides itself in. “It is unfortunate that our youths have been given the impression that manual labour is not good. So we are training our students to value the product of their hands. “TASUED established the Centre for the Entrepreneurship and Vocational Studies (CENVOS), to further equip the students against unemployment challenges in the country. And these vocational skills have actually paid off for the university, as many of our graduates are now employers of labour, rather than looking endlessly for scarce white collar jobs. And a good number of our graduates have won the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) presidential award through vocational and entrepreneurial skills taught in the university,” she said. With many of their crafts ranging from furniture to clothing, shoes, bags, among others on display, the institution is one that believes so much in human development, as its students, and both the academic and non-academic staff has been sponsored to conferences, workshops and seminars, home and abroad. “Despite our humble beginning, the university has been able to win laurales, attract fundings, forge linkages and gain recognition.” Reacting to the issue of academic institutions running unaccredited courses, thereby wasting students’ effort invested in such courses on the long run, professor Obilade

Vice Chancellor, Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Professor Oluyemisi Obilade (fourth right), while unveiling the official logo of the university’s 10th anniversary celebration. said: “The university by the report of the last NUC accreditation conducted in December 2012, gained 100 per cent accreditation of the 18 programmes presented, with 15 of the programmes on full accreditation, while the remaining three are on interim accreditation. None of the programmes was denied accreditation. “Also upon the resource visitation to the university by the NUC in 2011, postgraduate programmes were approved in the College of Applied Education and Vocational Technology, College of Science and Information Technology, and the College of Humanities, as well as Postgraduate Diplo-

ma Programmes. Consequently, a total of about 129 Master’s degree have been awarded by the university,” she explained. Speaking on how the institution had managed to maintain peace over the years, hence, helping to keep to its academic calendar devoid of elongation, the professor explained that it has devised a means to relate accordingly both with its students, and the host communities. “We believe in dialoguing with our students, while our relationship with the host community has been very cordial. The university on its part continuously discharge its corporate social responsibili-

ties to the host communities. Our health centre, on a regular basis conducts medical outreach programmes in these communities, whereby we provide free medical services and medications, where necessary. A total of 6,126 undergraduates will be certified at the convocation, with 128 Master’s in education and 73 post graduate diplomas in education. Also at the press meeting were the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu; Registrar, Dr Femi Kayode; Bursar, Mr Ifeolwa Odusanya; Librarian, Mr Jasiliu Kadiri and Director of Protocol, Mr Gbenga Omilola, among others.

Youths advised to be more involved in politics By Seyi Sokoya The need for Nigerian youths to be more involved in the affairs of the nation took a center stage recently at a Student Independence Summit organised by a Youth and Leadership Development Platform, known as ‘Don Ojon Speaks’ at the Lead City University Ibadan. The summit which gathered youths from various walks of life educated them on how to be useful to themselves as well as to the nation through their power, strength and vision. The President of the Lead City Voices, Mr Ogunleye Tobiloba noted that that the challenges of the nation would be easily overcome if every youth aligns with the theme of the summit which is: ‘Be the Change You want.’ While giving the keynote lecture

entitled: ‘The risk of Change,’ Mr Kobah Koate, expressed displeasure over the inability of Nigerian youths to position themselves to be the agents of the kind of change they want. Koate, who said every meaningful revolution begins from the mind, challenged those present at the programme to start seeing possibilities in their vision, saying “those who are always afraid to fall may never learn to jump. I challenge Nigerian youths to be willing to pay the price of positive change, irrespective of the cost.” An international journalist, Mr Dan Ikpoyi and the Lead City University’s Head of Department of Politics and International Relations, Dr Tunde Oseni, who both coordinated the discussion session, advised the youths to rise above the challenges facing them

Nigerian Tribune

and bring out opportunities from the nation’s numerous problems. Many of the participants, however, pointed out that youths have been long denied of their roles in government and are only being used by selfish political leaders. They called on Nigerian government to abolish any kind of law restricting youth involvement in politics and to create a better environment for them to succeed in business. The convener of the summit, Dotun Ojon, who reminded the youths that the essence of life is to make impact, hammered the need for the for them to break every barrier that is holding them back and help Nigeria become a place of pride. Ojon admonished participants to take advantage of their age to pursue the dream of their hearts.

Sprite Triple Slam ends in style in UNILAG After weeks of touring major Nigerian campuses to engage students in the three elements of basketball, music and dance, leading lemon-lime flavoured soft drink, Sprite, has concluded the 2015 edition of its Sprite Triple Slam activation in a grand style. Held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), the final activation had in attendance, multiple award-winning and international music act, D’banj as guest artiste, celebrity guest and basketball promoter, Sound Sultan, as well as Cool FM on air personality, Dotun as compere for the day. Speaking at the event, Marketing Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Patricia Jemibewon, described Sprite Triple Slam as a strategic engagement platform that connects to the passion of youths and allows them to express themselves. According to Jemibewon, “Sprite Triple Slam brings to the fore the creativity of the Nigerian youth and is also a veritable avenue for true expression.” On her part, the Senior Brand Manager, Flavours, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Toyin Nnodi expressed satisfaction in the success recorded so far with the activation, stating that the huge turnout that characterised the Sprite Triple Slam activation in all the locations is a testament to its popularity among the youths. As with the other locations, the UNILAG activation was filled with loads of fun, energy and captivating performances from the students. The dance category was particularly intriguing with lots of acrobatic display from the participants. Commenting on the event, 19-year-old Ikuomola Afolabi, who emerged one of the top players in the basketball category lauded the initiative and described the activation as authentic and inspiring. Another participant in the dance category, Ifionu Chukwunonso said: “Sprite Triple Slam has not only exceeded my expectation, it is now certainly one thing that I will be looking forward to every year.” On his affinity to the Sprite brand, Sound Sultan remarked that the brand is a firm supporter of his passion points: music and basketball. “I am here because of the love I have for the game, and fortunately Sprite supports my passion. I have seen incredible talents here today, I hope they keep it up because the sky is just their starting point,” he said. The Sprite Triple Slam activation took place at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), University of Calabar (UNICAL), University of Ibadan (UI), Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Imo state University (IMSU) and Rivers State University of Science and Technology(RSUST).

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

education

Editor: Laolu Harolds 08111845016 tribune.education@yahoo.com

The union had accused the university of shortchanging its members in the payment of some of their entitlements, such as postgraduate entitlements to members that have supervised Master’s Degree, PhD students, among others

ASUU-management crisis still grounds UNIJOS ISAAC SHOBAYO writes that there is no end in sight yet to the rift between the local chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the management of the University of Jos, which, for two weeks now, has led to complete cessation of academic activities on the campus.

OPE of an amicable resolution of the impasse between the management of University of Jos and the local chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has continued to dim as the lecturers have vowed to continue the strike until the management accents to their demands and address the irregularities in the payment of their entitlements. Academic activities in the institution were paralysed two weeks ago following disagreement between the university management and ASUU. The union had accused the university of shortchanging its members in the payment of some of their entitlements, such as postgraduate entitlements to members that have supervised Master’s Degree, PhD students, among others. The branch chairman of ASUU, Dr Christopher Piwune, told newsmen that the union, after due consultation with the national body, embarked on the strike because the university management had repeatedly reneged on the promises it made to the union to rectify many irregularities in the payment of entitlements. According to Piwune, the trouble started shortly after the six-month ASUU nationwide strike in June, 2013. The Federal Government, he said, released money for staff’s welfare and NEEDS assessment, but that the money was misappropriated

by the university. He said the university went ahead to disburse the fund arbitrarily to academic and non-academic staff, with about 300 members of ASUU not getting paid. “We have had several meetings with the management of the university on the issues. The university said some of our members were overpaid and that it has started deducting from their salaries. It even got to the point that members’ salaries were being over-deducted; yet, the university was not paying those that were short-changed,” Piwune said. He said the union also observed that the university had refused to pay postgraduate entitlements to its members that have supervised Master’s degree and doctoral students, with over 100 applications still waiting to be attended to. “All efforts made in this regard have not yielded desired results,” he complained. The union also lamented the salary disparity between its members and academic staff of other federal universities, adding that UNIJOS management keeps complaining that there is no money. “We have held series of meetings with the management of the university, and have had to call our zonal executives to intervene on our behalf; but each time the university promised to correct the anomalies, it only reneged when the agreed time was reached.

“We have written 13 letters in the last six months to the administration over these issues, and we have met with them over five times. We have written two letters to the pro-chancellor and chairman of council, but he has not made time to see us.” Therefore, he said, “members became tired with deductions left, right and centre and decided to commence strike.” In a swift reaction to the allegation, the management of the university said it got the letter informing it of the indefinite strike, but added that ASUU did not state the reason it was embarking on the strike action. The management, in a statement signed by the registrar of the university, Mr Jilli-Dandam, however, agreed that the lecturers have been dialoguing on two issues with it: the disbursement of Earned Academic Allowance and the payment of Postgraduate Supervision Allowance. The statement added that, “Council had set up a technical committee, headed by a former ASUU chairman, to resolve this lingering issue. Council also directed the implementation of the report believing that it will put to rest the issue of disbursement of Earned Academic Allowance. “But ASUU, University of Jos, without notice, reported management to its national headquarters, alleging that 681 of its members were being owed Earned Academic Allowance. And effort to make

ASUU submit the names generated by it for verification and reconciliation was resisted. They claimed that the list was contained in the council committee’s report. This is not correct. There was no such list in the council committee report.” The university management also explained that, “The ASUU, University of Jos branch, protested the non-payment of Postgraduate Supervision Allowance from 2004 to 2009 and 2013 to 2014. Management drew the attention of ASUU executives that the matter was being processed as the claims were being forwarded in batches to the bursar for payment. As at the time management met with ASUU executive, nine staff had been paid. “As at 15th September 2015. when the Federal Gsovernment directive on Treasury Single Account became effective, an additional 50 out of 150 staff had been paid, while 68 have been processed and ready for payment. ASUU is aware that for the past six weeks, no federal university or ministerial department in this country has had access to any funds from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), apart from salaries. “From the above, it is very clear that Management had been making every effortto dialogue and resolve all the issues presented by ASUU. Management will want to assure all stakeholders that it will continue to dialogue with ASUU with a view to resolving the issues.” Tribune Education findings, however, revealed that both internal and external efforts to resolve the impasse have not yielded any fruitful result as the union has insisted that the anomaly must be rectified before it would call off its strike. Students who initially thought the strike would not last more than necessary have started vacating the university. Some of them who spoke with Tribune Education called on the management to accent to the demand of ASUU, instead of folding its arms while students idle away.

education

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

Rivers wins Lafarge National Literacy competition By Laolu Harolds

HE duo of Mfon Prince and Elizabeth Dibia from Rivers State have emerged winners of the 2015 edition of the Lafarge National Literacy Competition, beating other contestants from five other states. Held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, Wednesday, the grand finale of the competition, which is in its second year, featured six states: Enugu, Lagos, Kaduna, Kogi, Taraba and Rivers – which are the six champions from the regional contests. The competition is part of the building materials company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives to promote quality education, especially literacy,

VC canvasses special loan scheme for private varsities’ students Clement Idoko-Abuja The vice chancellor of Veritas University, Abuja, Professor Michael Kwanashie, has called on the Federal Government to establish a special loan scheme for students who want to sponsor themselves in private universities in the country. According to him, the loan scheme would mitigate the high cost of tuition fees charged by many private universities, which most often are well beyond the reach of the poor masses. Kwanashie made the call at an interactive forum with members of the Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ECAN), held at the permanent site of the university in Bwari. The vice chancellor also faulted the Federal Government’s exclusion of private universities from benefitting from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund’s) interventions, describing the policy as unfair to students studying in private universities. He argued that private universities must be encouraged through government intervention to enable the institutions provide the needed quality education to Nigerians who are unable to secure admissions into public universities owing to low carrying capacity. Kwanashie noted that the loan scheme he is advocating should be structured in such a way that it will be repayable by the students after graduation, as is done in the United States and other developed countries of the world.

among Nigerian children, beginning with primary school pupils. It is organised every year in partnership with the Ovie Brume Foundation, a nongovernmental organisation, which itself is focused on youth education and empowerment. The competition, among other things, engages pupils in activities that build their ability to read, write and spell correctly, as well as features literacy tests, essay/ summary writing and spelling bees to evaluate reading and writing abilities. Last Wednesday’s final event, which was witnessed by the wife of the Ogun State governor, Mrs Olufunso Amosun; former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Segun Osoba, and chief executive of state and federal education parastatal agencies, featured essay and poetry recitation and spelling bee. In her remarks, the chairperson of the Ovie Brume Foundation, Evelyn Oputu, decried the high rate of illiteracy and low quality education in the country, wondering how Nigeria, which was once reputed to have the highest number of universities in Africa, got to this sorry pass. She therefore urged parents, corporate organisations and other stakeholders to key in into what Lafarge/ OBF are doing to promote literacy, especially from the most basic level. Also in his short speech, Mr Mobolaji Balogun, chairman Lafarge Africa Plc, said the World Bank’s record of

Nigeria having the highest number of out-of-school children is unacceptable, and that Lafarge would continue to do its best, with the support of all stakeholders, to turn things around.

“Lafarge Africa Plc is proud to make this strong statement as a key contributor to the development of education in Nigeria. As a member of a multinational, we understand the key role

education plays in the development of any society. We are driven to build better cities for all, and to effectively do that, the education of children who are the leaders of tomorrow is pivotal,”

he said. Lagos and Kogi states came second and third respectively, while computer sets and certificate of participation were given to the participating teams.

Wife of Ogun State governor, Mrs Funso Amosun (right); representative of the wife of Lagos State governor, Mrs Francisca Olaniyi (left), with winners of the Lafarge National Literacy Competition, Elizabeth Dibiah from State School II, Ogale, Rivers State; and Mfon Prince from State School II, Alesa, Rivers State during the award presentation at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. PHOTO: ALABA IGBAROOLA.

From left, Principal Assistant Registrar, Mr Adegbenro Adebanjo; Vice Chancellor, Professor Adebiyi Daramola; Emir of Bauchi and Chancellor, FUTA, Dr Rilwan Suleiman Adamu; Pro-Chancellor, Dr Mohammed Shata, and Registrar, Dr Modupe Ajayi, during a visit to the emir’s palace.

‘Turkish schools exploiting Nigerians’ Adelowo Oladipo-Minna A Nigerian businessman, Mr Bashir Alhaji Shaba, says the operators of Turkish schools in Nigeria are merely exploiting Nigerians in violation of the ideals of the founding fathers of those schools in Turkey. Addressing newsmen in Minna, the Niger State capital, recently, Shaba said the management of the Gulen Network in Nigeria (otherwise known as the ‘Gulen Schools’) are not implementing the ideals of the founders of the schools, who set them up to provide affordable education to the less-privileged people in the society. “The main idea to communicate here is that the Gulen schools are not in Nigeria for the poor; they are too expensive,” he con-

tended, saying that the objective of setting up those schools in Nigeria had been defeated, as only the children of the rich now attend them. He accused the operators of the schools of charging exorbitant fees despite the payment by the founders

for the poor to get access to good and quality education. Shaba said he was in Turkey and particularly in the institution that finances all the schools in Nigeria, where he found out details of its sponsorship. He expressed dismay

over the distortion of the main objectives of the schools, describing it as “an act of greed and wickedness on the part of those that were saddled with the responsibility of such institutions in the country.” The Gulen Network

I’ll take FUTA to greater heights The new chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), the Emir of Bauchi, Dr Rilwan Suleiman Adamu, has pledged to work for the development of the institution and sustain its position as Nigeria’s leading university of technology. Dr Adamu gave the pledge when a delegation from the university, comprising Dr Muhammed Shata, the pro-chancellor; Professor Adebiyi Daramola, the

vice chancellor; Dr Modupe Ajayi, the registrar and Mr Adegbenro Adebanjo, principal assistant registrar visited him in his palace. Welcoming the delegation, Dr Adamu described the visit as the beginning of a partnership that will take FUTA to greater heights, and that his appointment was a call to service. “I thank Almighty God and the authorities for my appointment; it is a call to serve. And since FUTA is

runs 17 secondary schools in six Nigerian cities, with a university – the Nigerian Turkish Nile University –in Abuja, Kaduna, Lagos, Kano, Yobe and Ogun states. It also has three secondary schools, as well as a nursery and primary school.

—Emir of Bauchi

already a leading university, I will do my best to consolidate this position by working with the great men and women and students of the institution to reposition it for better service to Nigeria and humanity. We shall continue to promote peace and academic excellence and my own agenda will be to push FUTA to greater heights”, the chancellor said. Earlier in his address, the pro-chancellor, Dr Muhammed Shata, said the

visit was to brief the new chancellor on the current state of affairs in the university and formally invite him to direct proceedings at the 27th convocation ceremony of the university scheduled for Saturday, 21 November, 2015. In his own remark, the vice chancellor said he was optimistic that FUTA under the watch of the new chancellor will soar to greater heights due to his background and clout.

education

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

UNESCO, ABUAD explore better teaching, learning methods UNESCO says Nigeria needs 58 years to tackle illiteracy Sam Nwaoko, Ado Ekiti

nited Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) have explored ways of bringing about improvement in teaching and learning at an international workshop, with UNESCO saying that over 62 million Nigerians are illiterates, describing the development as dangerous to the country’s development. UNESCO also said going by the research it conducted, it would take 58 years to be able to banish illiteracy among Nigerian populace, even with innovations like Information and Communications Technology and other learning mechanisms. Speaking at an international workshop on Teaching and Learning organised by Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) on Monday, the National Programme Officer, UNESCO

Ekiti CPS gives success tips to corps members MEMBERS of the National Youth Service Corps serving across the federation have been advised to allow God rule the affairs of their lives as that is the surest way to succeed in life. The Chief Press Secretary to Ekiti State Governor, Elder Idowu Adelusi, gave the charge at a send forth programme organised for a corps member in his office. The CPS, who commended the corps member, Adepoju Adeolu, for his dedication, hard work and resilience, said it was only total dependence on God that could guarantee success for anyone. He charged Adepoju not to rest on his laurels, and in particular sustain the good virtues exhibited by him while serving. Members of staff in the CPS office showered commendations on the corps member for his humility, commitment and dedication to duty, despite his royal background. In his response, Adepoju appreciated the CPS and other members of staff for the love shown him, noting that everyone he had relationship with during his service year made him feel at home. He promised to serve as a good ambassador of the state wherever he may go.

Regional office in Abuja, Dr Muhammad Alkali, canvassed full embrace of ICT not only to increase quality of education, but for more Nigerians to have access to education. Dr Alkali, who praised ABUAD for placing high premium on quality teaching and learning, said full introduction of ICT into Nigeria educational system as done in Pakistan would help in strengthening democratic and transparent educational planning and management that would make every citizen to contribute to knowledge-based economy. He said the mobile system of education helps to make learning very flexible, particularly in a situation where resources are scarce, thereby boosting access to education. “UNESCO is targeting drop-outs which are predominant in JSS2 going by available research in Nigeria. We are seriously concerned and worried with increasing illiteracy in Africa. We are getting a place in the neighbourhood where they can be taught. “Unless we are deceiving ourselves, ICT remains the best way to provide education now, going by the experiences in Pakistan. Nigeria needs 58 years to

banish illiteracy and this is going to be hectic,” he said. The founder of the university, Chief Afe Babalola(SAN), said the 21st century presented challenges and opportunities for educational institu-

tions to transform teaching and learning, saying ABUAD has identified ICT as a veritable platform to improve standard and this he said has been effective. “The emergence of social networks such as

facebook, twitter and linkedin has assumed a global dimension, offering opportunities to disseminate knowledge to students online. “This university has developed vast array of IT

Students and teachers of Toyosi Model College, Basorun, Ibadan, during an excursion to the Tribune House recently.

UNILORIN may deploy drones for exams monitoring IF suggestions by members of the University of Ilorin Drone Team are accepted, the authorities of the institution may, in the near future, monitor examinations conducted within the campus with drones. The drones, developed by a team coordinated by

Professor Sulyman AbdulKareem of the Department of Chemical Engineering, added colours to the just concluded 40th anniversary as well as the 31st convocation ceremonies of the university. Other members of the UNILORIN Drone Team

are Dr M. T. Yakubu of the Department of Biochemistry; Dr Babalola of the Department of Physics; Messrs Eric (engineer) and Ahmed, both of the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. In separate interviews last week, the Coordina-

FG reverts Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, to college —VC Johnson Babajide Makurdi THE Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Professor Emmanuel Kucha, has disclosed that the Federal Government has reversed the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State, which was approved by the immediate past administration, to a College of Medicine of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi. Former President Goodluck Jonathan had approved the University of Health Sciences along with other colleges of education converted to universities on the eve of his exit. Prior to the approval, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, had earlier been granted the licence to run the college of medicine with the teaching hospital to be located in Otukpo area of Benue State. However, Professor Kucha explained at the weekend that the Federal Government had reversed the decision and reverted it to a college of medicine of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi.

infrastructures around the campus to facilitate teaching, learning and research. This is aimed at nurturing students with novel technologies critical to sustaining their academic and professional careers.”

He said that the takeoff of the college has been put on hold pending the availability of funds. “As of now, we are sourcing for funds to develop the college of medicine,” he said, adding that the

college will take off as soon as the institution gets funds to kick start the college. Speaking on his efforts at generating funds to meet the challenges in the institution, the vice chancellor

noted that his administration has stepped up the internally generated revenue with the expansion of crop farming, where hundreds bags of rice, corn, soya beans and other farm produce are cultivated.

IPMA-UK certifies Nigerian managers, honour NOUN VC, others A total of 178 new inductees have received practising licence and certificates from the International Professional Managers Associations (IPMA-UK). The awards were given at the IPMA-UK 2015 Induction & Lisensing ceremony, which held in Ikeja, Lagos on Saturday. The award of certificates and licence followed an intense and elaborate ‘post experience advance professional programme’ organised by IPMA-UK for top Nigerian executives, CEOs, managers, administrators, lecturers and other executives in other professional endeavours. The Head, Africa Regional Office of IPMA, Professor Taiwo Feyi-Sobanjo, said the licences were meant to “acknowledge their high standing and give formal

international recognition of their competency, skills, experience and leadership capabilities.” All the new inductees were awarded the Advanced Professional Diploma in Organisational Transformation & Management Consultancy, the prestigious Membership Certificate and the Practising License of the Association from UK. Before the awards were handed over, Professor FeyiSobanjo said the professional programme was designed to make participants to learn and embrace current trends and be made to understand how other organisations around the world dealt with organisational problems and challenges. Also at the event, notable academics were given honorary fellowship awards for their contributions in devel-

oping professional managers in various fields. The recipients were the vice chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, Professor Vincent Tenebe, ably represented by the university’s registrar, Mrs Josephine Akinyemi, who is also an awardee; Professor Sola Ogunsiji of Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso, Oyo State; and Professor Olufemi Adewoye of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo town, Oyo State. In his goodwill message delivered at the occasion, Professor Vincent Tenebe commended the IPMAUK for creating an enviable niche for itself as an experience and versatile international trainers and managers of high-level professional administrators in the public and private domains.

tor of the team, Professor AbdulKareem, and another key member of the team, Dr Yakubu, said that drones can be deployed to monitor examinations in future as well as for general campus surveillance, in conjunction with security personnel. “The use of drones has come to stay because where you don’t want to endanger human life, a machine (drone) can go there and still get the information you need. Drones, rather than infringing on human rights, actually protect human rights because the man who wants to do evil and knows that a machine can remotely capture his act will likely not do it,” AbdulKareem said. He said, “I believe that apart from giving practical knowledge to those in Geography, Electrical Engineering and Physics, virtually any department that may have a reason to capture events beyond what is in front of the camera, which has to be aerially covered, can use the drone.” Professor AbdulKareem urged the university administration to challenge people to do more “because there are lots of students who are eager to learn and who have ideas that they can put into practice if they have good supervision. He said, “I believe it is a matter of encouragement. Most Nigerian universities should be able to do wonderful things and make major breakthroughs,” noting that some students were co-opted into the team to learn how to operate or fly the drones.

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Group Business Editor Sulaimon Olanrewaju

aviation

m:08055001708 e:lanresulaimon@yahoo.com t:@lanresulaimon

anchor Shola Adekola

m:0803 365 4818 e:sholanig@yahoo.com

We will enhance our services in Nigeria in 2016 —British Airways Paolo de Renzis is the Head of Sales for British Airways in Africa, Middle- East and Central Asia. In this interview with Shola Adekola, he speaks on the ongoing activities in the airline, including the newly refurbished B747s the airline plans to place in service on Lagos-London route and some other routes in January 2016. Excerpts:

ow do you feel about the recent designation of a Nigerian carrier, MedView on the Lagos/London route? We are friends and competitors, and competition puts us on our feet; we are thinking and reacting faster, thinking of the customers. We just said to Medview good luck and enjoy Gatwick and let the best man win. The world has changed, you can’t think of killing competition, because it only makes you better, and the customers are better for it. But the best man wins at the end. What are your views about the regions you oversee? I have spent 27 years with British Airways (BA), although I spent most of my time in Europe. I moved to Dubai five years ago in response to Middle-East traffic and I am very delighted because Africa is a very important region for BA, especially Nigeria, being one of our key markets. I am also very happy with the success of British Airways in most of our African markets and starting with Nigeria which is our biggest market in Africa. How would you react to competition with new players? We have been in the Middle-East for sometimes, and in fact, we were the first airline to fly to the Middle-East. Three years ago, we celebrated 80 years of flying into the Middle-East and the past 83 years, we have been growing capacity year-onyear. In the last five years, we have grown capacity by over 40 per cent and we will be celebrating 80 years of flying into Nigeria next year. So both in the Middle-East and Africa, we have a long standing relationship in both regions and we have been growing year-on-year. In terms of investment, we keep on investing in new planes in Africa and Middle-East; we are launching our B787-900 on Abu-Dhabi-London route, we will be enhancing our services on Nigerian route in January, where we are refurbishing our B747. Club World and World Traveler will be reconfigured and new in-flight entertainment will be available. So there is quite a long list of enhancements on the regions. Truly, there is a lot of competition, especially in Dubai, which is the biggest in the last five years, we are familiar with competition, but we’ve been around for many years. We enjoy competition, so we will compete very well having been around for so long.

What is your take on the rivalry between UK and Gulf carriers? There is the open skies policy in place, so they can fly as many services as they want into the UK. We are still the most important carrier in the UK, we have 70 weekly flights from the UK into the Middle-East, so we are still the biggest carrier. We enjoy competition and we have increasing capacity by over 40 per cent in the Middle-East in the past five years. Do you think a lower fare regime will alter your market share on the route? Any airline that thinks it can put in arbitrary, unfriendly fares into the business will kill itself. We are not in a business of killing ourselves. Fares remain competitive and are determined by the forces of supply and demands. For instance, we have promotions for Christmas, this year we have sold ridiculous fares. And we use the word seasonality in this business, what you sell in February can’t be sold in July or in August; you need to tailor your fares according to the season and classes. There had been references to countries in relation to Nigeria, you can’t compare one country to another, and there is nothing in Nigeria that is same as Ghana. We cannot be selective, Nigeria is a mega economy. For instance, this is November, now parents battling with so many issues such as dollar issues, kids are in school, there is nobody on the plane, we do a tactical thing, then we put the product in the market and then sell, but such cannot happen in August which is high season. What are the challenges that have faced your operations in the past years in Africa? I was highly impressed with the facil-

Any airline that thinks it can put in arbitrary, unfriendly fares into the business will kill itself.

Paolo de Renzis

ities when I moved from Europe to the Middle-East, and I can say the same the thing in some of the African countries I have been to. But I think there is still a lot of things that need to be enhanced by the governments. At least it took me minutes to process my visa to Nigeria, there is a lot of improvements. We have new Ministers on ground, but we have the opportunities to improve more, we can be like Europe, we can highlight all these opportunities to the minister, he is going to hit the ground running. What are your reactions on charges airlines pay to government in Nigeria? Government also have cause to levy charges because when you look at the navigational facilities, they are costly, but there should be a levelled playing ground and rules. And whether you are foreign or local airline, we have to meet our obligations, but the experts who know the costing tell us what we need to pay, as long as same rule applies universally, there is no problem. Any plan to go into partnership with Nigerian carriers? At African level, we cannot determine who we will partner with unless by our parent company IAG, but locally, we will work with any airline that fits the deal and approved by our parent company. As for BA in Lagos, we still struggle to get seats on first-class for passengers. Where do you see BA in the next five years? We’ve been around for a long time, we have been investing and we will keep investing. In January 2016, four key routes: Lagos, Kuwait, Dubai, will get the newly refurbished aircraft. This shows that capacity

is improving, it means that the demand is very strong. We are increasing frequencies into Dubai by 2016, and we are still in the middle of our 5 billion pounds investments in new aircrafts and products in general. BA has succeeded in commanding the loyalty of the premium travellers. What is the magic wand? When our CEO came to Lagos, the screaming headline was ‘service is in our DNA,’ and we are proudly serving people. We are not saying things are perfect, but the strength of BA standing low when things go wrong, always there, come rain come shine. Those premium travellers cannot be mistaken, they are not stupid; if it is a monopoly and is very expensive, it doesn’t work. If you are not good, you cannot be selling so expensive, yet people still keep coming, because they are not fools. They must have seen something that keeps them coming. What is your area of Corporate Services Responsibility (CSR) in Africa? The British are not very good at blowing their own trumpets. CSR is something you should do with social responsibility, believing that you really want to give back to the society. The major reason we came about the ‘Leaders of Tomorrow’ initiative is to really do something in aviation, that we can have an offshoot of British Airways training, one of them worked for us for a while. Many are also aware of our involvement in Kuje School, where BA installed computers lab, we rebuilt the whole school, as they were studying under tree. This is asides the latest, which is the On Business programme of supporting the SMEs. The season two of leaders of tomorrow is coming. The SMEs will become conglomerates in the future.

aviation

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

Key players task new aviation minister

crucial moment With Shola Adekola

0803 365 4818

Welcoming Minister Sirika

After six months of apprehension over who to be appointed as the next minister of aviation following the change in government at the centre, the country’s aviation sector has finally got one though in a different capacity in the person of Senator Hadi Sirika. The interesting thing about his appointment is that Sirika is not a stranger to the terrain in view of his background training as a pilot. In other words, his coming has taken care of the yearnings of many stakeholders in the sector who have been clamouring for a professional to be put in charge of the sector which is mainly controlled by core professionals and not politicians in normal climes. Therefore, to some people, the coming of Sirika must have taken care of questionable people in the sector including the ministry who capitalise on the ignorance of an incoming minister to engage in unethical and unpatriotic acts which have been the bane of the sector. Whereas, few other stakeholders have expressed their reservation about the coming of the trained pilot in view of past experiences. According to such people, Sirika is not the first pilot to be appointed as minister of aviation. To them, the first pilot to be appointed as minister was Captain Benoni Briggs who they argued did not bring the desired expectations of the sector to fruition. Therefore, to many people in the sector, pilots though may belong to the professional groups people have yearned for, but it is generally believed that they are not good administrators. While everyone has the right to his opinion, one thing is that people do things differently most times and based on the fact that the new minister despite being a pilot has forayed into politics where he rose to become a senator therefore, the experience he garnered from there should be enough for him to excel. It is therefore at this juncture that the Crucial Moment is welcoming Captain Hadi Sirika to aviation though as a minister of state. It is expected that he knows the sensitive nature of the sector which makes any action he will take henceforth to receive wide reactions from different interest groups. Apart from the many professionals in the sector, the aviation unions there are the most intelligent and fully loaded with facts and figures. Therefore, before he takes any action, he should consult widely as many people are on ground to challenge such actions. Besides, any minister that wants to succeed in aviation must avoid issues based on tribalism and religious sentiments as they have greatly contributed to the failure of past ministers. The minister should totally be wary of ‘special experts’ who will start throwing some kites around him giving the impression that they are those he can work with whereas, they are out to achieve their selfish goals at the expense of the sector. Presently, the sector is at a cross road in view of past mismanagements and abuse of office coupled with myriad of challenges confronting airlines, the aviation agencies and poor infrastructural decay.

Nigerian Tribune

Over bloated workforce is killing aviation agencies —NAPA scribe Stories By Shola Adekola - Lagos The newly appointed minister of state for aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has been advised to set up a committee to review the Acts establishing all parastatals so as to meet up with the modern trend in the industry worldwide and boost their productivity. The advice was given by the General Secretary of Nigerian Aviation Professionals Association (NAPA), Comrade Abdulrazaq Saidu in an interview in Lagos. He wondered why some of the parastatals should have more than 70 general managers and deputy general managers and over bloated work force giving way for redundancy and unwarranted overhead

Arik Air launches self-service kiosk Arik Air has launched a self-service kiosk, in addition to launching two extra payment options to broaden payment options available to passengers. The self-service kiosk allows passengers make bookings and pay for Arik Air tickets at a kiosk without the intervention of a human being and is the first of its kind in Nigeria. The Kiosks which are being rolled out across Nigeria in phases starting with Lagos, is currently available at Arik Air City Office at 44 Toyin Street Ikeja, Lagos. The launch of a self-service kiosk follows the introduction of two other payment options: Globalpay and Internet Banking/ Bank Branch Payment (NIBSS Ebills Pay). Global Pay, a product of Zenith Bank, allows the Verve card, MasterCard, Visa Card holders and Zenith Bank Internet banking users make payment for Arik Air tickets on the Arik Air Mobile Website. Likewise, the Internet Banking and Branch Payment option which went live on 2nd November, 2015 enable passengers’ book and pay for tickets on Arik Air website using their internet banking credentials and Bank Branch Locations. Commenting on the addition of these alternative payment options, the Managing Director of Arik Air, Mr Chris Ndulue noted that e-commerce holds the key to future business success saying, “Our renewed focus is on the introduction and deployment of technologies that will not only increase in-flight travel comfort but will provide more convenient avenues to book flights, get travel updates, check-in and constantly remain in touch with Arik.”

costs. He blamed the politicians for foisting the large number of general managers on the parastatals without considering their suitability in the affected agencies nor recourse to the Acts that set them up nor the Civil Service rule on appointment. According to Saidu, the ills in the aviation industry can only be corrected by reviewing the Acts establishing some agencies. Saidu who noted that there were approved conditions of employment for each of the agencies advised government to avoid over bloating of workforce an ugly trend which he said began in the early 2000. He noted that services of the regulatory body, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had diminished adding that none of the country’s airports has been certified even as he urged the minster to as a matter of urgency address the issue of inefficiency to save the aviation industry. Saidu in addition, urged the incoming minister to look into the infrastructure at the airports to ensure that those not in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standard should be jettisoned in order not to lose the category one safety status of the country. The NAPA secretary queried why it has taken the government years to construct one airport adding that passengers were bearing the brunt just as he called for immediate payment of accumulated debts by airlines and other concessionaires to enable agencies meet their responsibilities.

Stakeholders in the Nigerian aviation industry have tasked the new Minister of State for Aviation, Captain Hadi Sirika to focus attention on the construction of a national hangar, training of qualified personnel and evolve workable policies for the country’s aviation industry. According to key players who said Sirika was coming at a time the industry was faced with challenges, they assured that as a professional in the sector; he should be able to tackle the challenges headlong. Speaking at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMA, Lagos, a former pilot with the defunct national carrier, Nigeria Airways, Captain Samuel Adewunmi said he expected Sirika to bring the country’s aviation industry to international practices and standards. He decried that despite over 90 years of aviation in Nigeria, the country could still not carry out D-Check maintenance on aircraft, stressing that it was one of the major ways of encouraging capital flights outside the country. He hinted that as a result of bad policies and inconsistent appointments in the sector, other African countries like South Africa, Ethiopia and Kenya had overtaken Nigeria in aviation industry and also urged him to empower the sector in the area of engineering. “He should economically think about improving aviation in this country and bring it with other economies of the world. We need a real national hangar, which can be situated anywhere in the country.” Also, the immediate past President of Aviation Round Table (ART) Captain Dele Ore said the scrapping of Ministry of Aviation was victory to good governance, reasoning and truth. Ore noted that ART had over the years clamoured for the scrapping of Ministry of Aviation, stressing that the sector was now in line with the Inernational Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recommended practices and standards. He insisted that the appointment of Sirika was a big departure from the previous appointments as those hitherto sent to the sector had little or no knowledge about the industry. He, however, warned him to beware of antics of sycophants who he alleged had ill-advised about 10 ministers in the sector for their selfish gains. He also appealed to him to allow the agencies especially the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to carry out its oversight functions and economic regulations without interference from the government.

Delta, Alessi partner to bring modern design to skies American Delta Airline has entered into partnership with renowned network designer, Alessi to refresh and enhance its onboard service ware in Delta One and First Class, to create a signature line featuring a modern and functional design. Following the agreement, the product of Delta’s tie-up with Alessi come to life on board in 2017. The partnership brings together the stylish and contemporary designs that made Alessi a celebrated and iconic brand with Delta’s efforts to redefine the in-flight experience through thoughtful innovation. “We understand every aspect and detail of the travel experience matters to our customers. Working alongside the talented and creative teams at Alessi, a design house that continues to set the standard for innovative and unique design, we’ll bring to the airplane an uncompromising level of elegance and service that builds on Alessi’s renowned

design inspiration”, said Robyn Klein, Delta’s Managing Director – On Board Services. The enhancement to Delta’s service ware comes as the airline continues to make evolutionary and meaningful enhancements to the experience it offers on board, including partner chef-created menus that reflect local and seasonal flavours made with fresh ingredients sourced from independent purveyors as well as a wine programme curated by Delta’s Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson. “The key to a truly memorable in-flight service and culinary experience starts with the very product the food is served on. We are creating for Delta’s customers a bespoke and inspirational line of plates, glasses, flatware and service products that sets the tone for the delicious and thoughtful approach the airline has taken with their on-board food and beverage offerings,” said Paolo Cravedi, Alessi’s managing director of USA and Canada.

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

anchor

maritime

Tola Adenubi

m:07068476673 e:adenubiadetola@yahoo.com

Cargo lull: Contrasting fortunes hit bonded terminals

However, for the unlucky others who have no seaport terminal as subsidiaries to look up to, their tale has been that of woe as many of them have either closed shop or remained redundant. The implication of this is that many formerly employed Nigerians have been rendered jobless while about N1.4 trillion investments that operators of the bonded warehouses/terminals have put in to acquire land, procure equipment, human resources and other sundry issues have all gone up in smoke.

Investment in bonded warehousing facilities has great market potential due to patronage aimed at reducing storage pressure at the seaports. However, in recent months, many of the bonded terminals have experienced contrasting fortunes, writes TOLA ADENUBI. Excerpts

onded terminals are off-dock facilities where goods from seaports are transferred for clearance and delivery with the full complement of all relevant government agencies and equipment as obtained in feeder port environment. Bonded terminal operation got a boost in Nigeria from 1990s to 2005 at the peak of the port congestion as government encouraged private Nigerians to invest on off-dock facilities where goods could be transferred to ease storage pressure at the seaport terminals. Consequently, a lot of investors, mainly from the freight forwarding sub-sector of the industry, took loans to set up the facilities, which the customs licensed with the approval of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). Notable among the bonded terminals that sprang up around this time were Savol, ITC, Allianz and Cargo Vision, Sifax Off-dock Nigeria Ltd, Migfo Nigeria Ltd, Palm Line Agencies Nigeria Ltd, Lillypond Container Inland Services and a host of others. In all, the country had 22 bonded terminals operated and owned by private investors. Investigations have however revealed that recent development at the nation’s seaport has led to contrasting fortunes to owners of these bonded terminals. While many have closed shop, others are thriving amid plenty. Cargo lull The drop in the volume of cargoes calling at the nation’s seaport has led to drastic consequences for some of the owners of these bonded terminals. Bonded termi-

nals like Savol, ITC, Allianz and Cargo Vision have all closed down due to lack of cargoes to process at their respective terminals. Prior to now, the bonded terminal operators have always complained that some terminal operators have refused to stem cargoes to their bonded terminals. The NPA has had to mediate between terminals operators and bonded terminals to ease tension that brew over stemming of cargoes to the bonded terminals. With the state of situation at the seaports now, the bonded terminals are currently starving to death because even the seaport terminals are no longer well fed with cargoes. The low volumes of cargoes currently at the seaports are not sufficient enough to go round anymore. According to an operator of one of the bonded terminals who preferred not to have his name in print, “the vessels are no longer calling at the nations’ seaports due to unfavourable government policies.

“Therefore, the cargo throughput has dropped drastically and even the port terminals don’t have enough cargoes to process. And if the seaport terminals don’t have enough cargoes to process, how will the bonded terminals get any cargo to process? They will simply go out of operation. “Before now, there was a kind of arrangement that made sure some of them get cargoes to process, but now that there are not enough cargoes at the seaports, no bonded terminal can complain that it does not get any cargo from the seaport terminals.” Mixed fortune Further findings have revealed that while bonded terminals like Savol, ITC, Allianz and Cargo Vision, have closed shop, bonded terminals like Lillypond terminal operated by Lilypond Container Inland Services, a subsidiary of AP Moller-Maersk Group; and Sifax Off-Dock Nigeria Ltd, a subsidiary of Sifax Group are thriving.

That this two bonded terminals are thriving is a pointer to their ownership pattern. These two bonded terminals are owned by companies that operate seaport terminals in the Nigerian maritime domain. For Lillypond terminal, her parent company, AP Moller-Maersk Group owns the biggest container terminal in Nigeria, APM Terminal located at the Apapa port; therefore, the terminal has never gone on a stretch without having cargoes to process. The same scenario applies to the Sifax Off-Dock Nigeria Ltd bonded terminal. Its parent company, Sifax Group owns the landlord of the terminal C of the Tin-Can Island Port, Ports & Cargo Handling Services (P&CHS). Even in the midst of fewer cargoes coming to the nation’s seaports, this two bonded terminals are getting fed constantly by their subsidiary seaport terminals, thereby creating jobs for them to handle.

Regulatory advice On how bonded terminals can reposition, the General Manager, Public Affairs, NPA, Captain Iheanacho Ebubeogu advised that they employ consultants to help them reposition their failing investments. “These Bonded Warehouses should employ consultants to help them reposition their dwindling fortunes. With the help of consultants, these warehouses could be repositioned to adapt to today’s realities. “Some of the owners of these bonded warehouses are still living in the past where the NPA forces people to patronise them. They fail to enforce all the components of the logistic chain which will in turn make their bonded warehouses competitive. “The patronisers of these bonded warehouses will pay, so if there is no value added services at this bonded warehouses, why should somebody patronise them? “For instance, the entrance to some of these bonded warehouses is very bad and containers do fall off when coming there. Some of this warehouses lack adequate security or lightening. “In terms of equipment, some of them are ill-equipped. Some containers that carry nails and tiles weight up to 30 tons, but in some of these bonded warehouses, the highest forklift they have can only carry 15 tons container; yet they cry that nobody is patronising them. How do they expect people to patronise them. Such warehouses cannot be marketed. “Before now, the NPA compels people to patronise bonded warehouses irrespective of their shortcomings, but that was before the port concession. Now, the NPA does not handle containers, so operators of bonded warehouses needs to ensure their facilities are up to standard for them to attract patronage,” Ebubeogu stated.

maritime

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Economic crunch: MWUN says APMT, others laying off workers Stories by Tola Adenubi - Lagos

he Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has disclosed that due to the economic downturn facing the country, organisations like APM Terminals, Sea-Trucks, Grimaldi and Intels Nigeria Ltd are all laying-off workers. This is even as the maritime labour union revealed that it had been able to secure better pay-off for the dismissed workers. Speaking to the Nigerian Tribune, the President-General of the MWUN, Tony Nted, said many of the organisations had to declare redundancy due to the economic downturn currently pervading the Nigerian economy. According to him, “due to the following agreement that we had with many of this organisations on the working conditions of our members on their payroll, they cannot just wake up one morning and say they want to retrench or sack workers. “They had to meet with us and we discussed additional gratuity for the dismissed workers. Most of the dismissed workers got double what they ought to have been paid. For some workers who had served about 10 years and ought to get around N3.5million, we ensured they got around N6.5miilion. This is unprecedented in the Nigerian labour dispensation. “Everybody knows the situation in the country right now. The economy is very bad and many of these organisations are declaring redundancy these days. It is better they declare redundancy rather than owe workers. “Vessels are being diverted off Nigerian ports

to her neighbouring ports, crude oil price is unstable, and so we all understand the plight of these organi-

zations. Rather than owe our members which will lead to another issue between us and them, de-

claring redundancy is a better option. “We have had Intels declared redundancy and

layed-off some workers. We also had APM Terminals and Grimaldi declaring redundancy and

Haulage: 90% of trucks in Nigeria rickety — Stakeholder The General Manager, SIFAX Haulage & Logistics Limited, Saheed Lasisi, has said 90 per cent of trucks used by haulage operators in Nigeria are rickety and obsolete. Lasisi, therefore, advocated for the merger and strict enforcement of standards as the two key factors that would aid the development of the country’s haulage industry. Lasisi, who described the haulage industry in the country as an “emerging” one, noted that to move it rapidly forward to a booming and well-developed industry where investors

would be willing to invest massively, the regulators and other stakeholders must take the issue of standards enforcement seriously, particularly in the type of trucks operators use. He said: “The Nigerian haulage industry is still at the evolving stage. This is due primarily to the fact that the right set of people is not involved in the business yet. Also, the right kind of equipment is not being used. 90% of haulage operators in Nigeria still use old and refurbished trucks. No wonder, you see accidents involving trucks

on our roads almost every day. “For the industry to experience the kind of growth it has the potential of achieving, it is my firm belief that the regulators and other stakeholders like the government agencies, terminal operators and importers must insist on certain minimum standards. For instance, it should not be out of place to insist that only new trucks should be used in the industry. Such enforcement would compel haulage operators to explore the option of merger that will empower them to acquire the

right trucks for their businesses.” While reviewing the performance of his company in 2015 financial year, Lasisi noted that the slow start of the country’s business landscape early in the year had a slight effect on its operations, but added that despite this, the company still met all its expectations. He noted that the acquisition of 25 brand new trucks contributed greatly to the impressive performance as many clients were persuaded by this huge investment in the new trucks. Not resting on its oars,

NRC disclose readiness to freight petroleum products The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has disclosed of its readiness to freight petroleum products through its rail lines. According to a statement signed by the corporation’s Spokesman, Abdulrauf Akinwoye, the corporation has in stock about forty pressurised tank wagons specially designed for the transportation of Petroleum products by rail across the country.

laying off some workers. We also had Sea-Trucks Group declaring redundancy and laying off workers too. “This is what is happening right now in the nation’s economy and we are trying our best as a labour union to negotiate the best pay-off for our members. We are ensuring our members go home with something tangible that they can fall back on. “The Nigerian Labour Congress has commended us on what we have been able to achieve for our members.” It will be recalled that the Head of Human Resources at APM Terminals, Bunmi Pratt had recently said that: “With cargo volumes down 30% compared with a year ago, and even after extensive cost-cutting measures taken throughout the terminal, we are unfortunately being forced to reduce our staffing in view of the business realities of the current economic environment. Respect and compassion for all employees are the very foundation of our business model.”

“The new pressurised Light Oil Tank wagons are superior to previous wagons utilised by NRC as they have loading capacity of 40 tons and carriage capacity of 45,000 litres. “Other features of the wagons, which make them superior include high operational and maintenance facilities, includes health and safety protection mechanism which enables non spillage of contents even

in the event of accidents. These tank wagons are well fitted with in-built fire and other hazards prevention system controls and pressure gauge to show condition of oil contents at all times. “It is noteworthy that the tank wagons are currently being used by NRC to transport diesel from Apapa in Lagos to Kano. Furthermore, plans to commence movement of petroleum products for Oando from their Oil Tank

farm in Lagos to their depot in Kaduna is being finalised. The management of Nigerian Railway Corporation has completed the rehabilitation of railway sidings leading to various Oil tank farms for easy accessibility and direct loading,” Akinwoye stated. It will be recalled that major oil marketers had resolved to partner with NRC to lift and distribute petroleum products by rail. In a letter addressed to the

Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation, Engr. Adeseyi Sijuwade, dated 29th September, 2015 and signed by the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, Thomas Obafemi Olawore, the oil marketers expressed the very belief that the partnership will be mutually beneficial but above all, would have a positive impact on the nation.

Lasisi noted that the company has almost finalized plans to acquire additional 25 brand new trucks due to the increase in its clientele list, especially the latest, APMT, with which it just signed a partnership agreement for the delivery of about 600 containers to its inland container depot in Kano from Lagos every month. On SIFAX Haulage plan for 2016, Lasisi said: “One of our major targets for the next financial year is to get a permanent place for the company. Our plan is to acquire a large expanse of land that would accommodate all our trucks, because in the next one year, we are planning to increase the number of our trucks to one hundred to service our clients better. The new place will have all the required facilities including parking bay and maintenance workshop.” SIFAX Haulage & Logistics Limited is a subsidiary of SIFAX Group, a multinational corporation with investment in Aviation, Maritime, Oil & Gas, Haulage & Logistics, Hospitality, among others.

Thursday, 19 November, 2015 With Adewale Oshodi tribunearts@yahoo.com 08054005323

Why Trinidad and Tobago citizens value Yoruba culture — Elebuibon

Irinajo Eda; Ogota Ewi Ogota Ajodun orikadun, New Series of Works; Soul Journeys of a Priest in the Wonderland; Water Spirit of Yorubaland; Healing Power of the Prayer and Iku, the Fearful Spirit.

By Tunde Busari

HE renowned Ifa Priest and Araba of Osogbo, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon has revealed why the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago appreciate Yoruba culture and struggle to propagate it. Recalling his experience during his recent journey to the South American country, Chief Elebuibon said what he saw in the people delighted him and also gave him hope that Yoruba culture would survive the current threat. In September, the Araba, on invitation, travelled to Trinidad and Tobago just after he had rounded off his annual Ogbeyonu festival held in Osogbo, his hometown. He was in the country to attend the Isese festival where he delivered lecture and also mentored some Yoruba culture enthusiasts. Elebuibon spoke on two topics, Role of ancestor in affairs of mankind and Messengers of Orisas. His audience was enthralled so much that they urged him to always honour them at the festival. “I was equally impressed by their appreciation of our culture. At every compound, we were welcomed with drums and dance. They said they had been anxious to see me. It is another experience, which is unique in its own way. “Although the country is not that rich, in terms of economy, the people are very warm and promoting their faith. Before I left, they had started making effort to impress it upon the government to set aside a day as Isese day. They are also working on their unity to achieve the goal. I told them that doing so is the only way to convince the incumbent government which seems to be indifferent to their demand,” he said. The soft-speaking priest who was scheduled to travel to London and Brazil after the Ogbeyonu festival said that the Trinidad and Tobago invitation was considered satistacfory to the organisers of the Isese day. According to him, the journey was worth its while as he was also taken to a place named Yoruba Village, a settlement that depicts Yoruba cultural heritage and historical materials, especially the slave trade that separated the forefathers of Elebuibon’s hosts from their root in Nigeria. The visit ended with his visit to other important places in the North and Southern part of the country. “They took me to the Mayor who also appreciated my visit. It is an eye-opening trip and the reason we must not stop to tell our people back home that our culture should not be toyed with because there are so many out there who are trying their best to identify with it,” he said. The Araba is not only an Ifa priest, he is also a theatre practitioner and in fact, former vice-president of the Association

POEM My Crippled Child

•Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon of Nigerian Theatre Practitioners (ANTP) during the tenure of Adebayo Salami, otherwise known as Oga Bello. Also, he is an author of books such as Poetry Voice of Ifa; Apetebii: The Wife of Orunmila; Adventures of Obatala 1

& 2;The Healing Powers of Sacrifice; Ifa, the Custodian of Destiny; The Invisible Powers of the Metaphysical World: A Peep Into the World of Witches; Iyere Ifa (Tonal Poetry, the Voice of Ifa): an Exposition of Yoruba Divination Chants;

Spectre holds firm at top of US box office MOVIES JAMES Bond film, Spectre has held on to the top spot at the North American box office in its second week of release. The 24th film in the 007 franchise, starring Daniel Craig, made $35.4m (£23.3m) last weekend, according to estimates. The Peanuts Movie held firm at number two, with takings of $24.2m (£16m). But the Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt drama By the Sea failed to make a splash, taking just $95,440 (£63,000) at 10 screens. The European art house film stars the real-life couple as a husband and wife struggling to cope in the aftermath of a trauma. The film was also directed by Jolie - her third time at the helm of a movie - and the actress also wrote the script. The drama, which marks the first time the two stars have appeared together on the big screen since Mr & Mrs Smith in 2005, has been generally panned by critics. Despite its poor takings, its limited re-

lease is thought unlikely to hurt its film company, Universal, too much since it was made for a relatively modest budget of $10m (£6.6m). Spectre’s takings fell 50per cent in its second weekend, bringing its North American total to $130.7m (£86m). That is well behind the $161m (£106m) earned by its predecessor, Skyfall over the same period. The Peanuts Movie, the family-friendly adaptation of the beloved Charles Schulz comic strip, featuring Charlie Brown and Snoopy, saw its second weekend takings drop by 45 per cent, bringing its total in the US to $82.5m (£54m). The rest of the top five saw Love the Coopers, an ensemble comedy about a family gathering starring Diane Keaton and Alan Arkin, enter the chart at number three with $8.4m (£54m). Old release, The Martian dropped one place to number four, while at number five was another new release, The 33. The film based on the 2010 Chilean mining disaster took $5.8m (£4m) from 2,452 cinemas.

Like a statue, she looks Not standing, walking or running I have laboured on my child Till this age, yet she can’t stand Perhaps she is weakened by frightening faces Scaring,killing her spirit To stand, walk or run She stands and falls At intervals like sea waves I have laboured on my child Happy to see her compete with Her younger ones in other climes At her age, she is carried everywhere Like a babe in arms My child, what is your problem? When will you outgrow this phase? Breasts you have not at your age But your feminine pride is gone Taken by your famed lovers When will you start procreating? Listen, my dearly beloved child You were not destined to be In this deformed state of life Unnoticed like bones in necropolis You are a queen to be Honoured, deified and decorated, destined To sit among royal robes Not in the midst of rags Where you look like beggars, beast of burden Given handouts by parasitic rich Your ancestors meant well for you Like flood tears trickle down their cheeks Wondering if they had not laboured In vain over your life and future My beloved child,stand up Walk, run and fly like eagles! Get up, the top is your place! By Emmanuel Ikuoye

arts&review

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

‘Today’s gospel artistes lack inspiration’ After his encounter with the Lord at Ede, in the old Oyo State, now Osun State, popular gospel musician, Evangelist Joseph Adebayo Adelakun, popularly known as Ayewa, has since become an instrument of honour in God’s vineyard. In this interview with ADEWALE OSHODI, he speaks on his experience in the military, his music and why he believes today’s gospel artistes lack inspiration. EXCERPTS:

have in the Army? I spent seven years with my boss instead of three years. This was because he liked me so much; I think he saw in me the light of God. I have the gift of discerning through dreams. God had used me to pass messages across to my boss, so when he was posted to Kaduna, I was supposed to stay back in Lagos, but he said he wanted me in Kaduna. My boss particularly said he didn’t want me to end up with officers who would not appreciate me.

INDLY describe your early years? I come from a muslim family; I am a native of Saki in Oyo State. I joined the Army in 1968 at Abeokuta Depot, and I was posted to the Army Engineering Construction Regiment in Ede, formerly in old Oyo State. From there, I was transferred to Aba, then Lagos, Jaji and later Kuru. All this while, I was a Muslim and my name then was Amusa Salami Adelakun. Everything about me changed after my encounter with the Lord. I lost my father when I was just 16 years. What about your experience in the Army? God was so good to me while I was in the

•Evangelist Joseph Adebayo Adelakun military; I had the privilege of working under a kind-hearted boss, in the person of Lieutenant Colonel D.O. Ajayi, from Ijebu Igbo. I was his orderly and a corporal in the Army. He assisted me in so many ways, I owe him an immense gratitude. Before joining the military, I had just lost my father; I was 16 years at that

time, and was contemplating going to learn electrical engineering as a vocation at Labaowo Street in Ogunpa, Ibadan, for two years. Fortunately, when I joined the military, I was posted to the Engineering department. What other experience do you

Paris museums reopen after terrorist attacks

So how did your journey in christiandom and music begin? My journey in Christiandom started in Ede, Osun State, after an encounter I had in my dream. I saw some angels before me in that dream, then I suddenly saw myself vomitting blood, the blood was rushing like the running tap, and after a short while, it turned to clean water, then it stopped. After this encounter, I went to narrate the dream to a man of God, who told me that the angel of God had visited me. He encouraged me to start going to church and that God wanted to use me. Although, at that early stage, I didn’t take my going to church very serious not until I started growing in the word of God. I was in the military during this period, and the discipline I imbibed really helped me in the course of my service to God; that is why I don’t compromise. I was in Kaduna when the music thing started. I started to worship at CAC, Kawo in Kaduna where I started a choir group called Divine Intervention. Thereafter, six of us from the choir formed a group and named it after one of our songs entitled “Yio yewa,” later we change it to Ayewa in 1976 in Kaduna. By December of that same year, the church formerly accepted us and blessed the group. So in 1977 I invited members of the group to Lagos where the music journey began in earnest. The band is already 40 years in October 2015. I left the Army to focus on music fully in 1982. How did you gain inspiration for your most popular song, Amona? Amona was produced in November 1984. The Lord spoke to me that I should go into the studio to produce that song. The Lord said He wanted to use the song to speak to the whole world. Chief Ebenezer Obey was instrumental to the success of that album. While we could not get a good guitarist for the music, he gave us one of his best guitarists, Paul Tao, who helped us achieve the song.

•The Louvre in Paris PUBLIC museums and other cultural venues in Paris have reopened following the attacks in the French capital last Friday. Many of Paris’s tourist attractions, including the Louvre and the Musee d’Orsay, closed on Saturday amid heightened security. The institutions reopened at 13:00 local time following a minute’s silence to honour those who were killed. However, the Eiffel Tower will remain closed until further notice. A message on the tower’s website added that “the Eiffel Tower will not sparkle” during the period of national mourning,

at the request of Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo. A total of 129 people died in the attacks by Islamist militants. People were targeted in bars and restaurants, the Bataclan concert hall and the Stade de France. In explaining the decision to reopen the venues, French Culture Minister, Fleur Pellerin, said although France had suffered a tragic event, “culture is more than ever this symbolic place of self-discovery.” Ms Pellerin added the government would help to boost security measures at public cultural institutions in Ile-de-

France, the region immediately surrounding Paris. Its landmarks include the Louvre, which houses Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa painting, as well as the Eiffel Tower and the Notre Dame Cathedral. Eighty-nine people died at the Bataclan venue, where US rock band, Eagles of Death Metal had been performing. Many concerts scheduled to take place in Paris over the weekend, including those by U2, Motorhead, Foo Fighters and Deftones, were also cancelled. Cinemas were also ordered to close following the attacks, but most have since reopened.

How many albums do you have to your credit? I have about 32 albums to my credit. I derived all my songs from the Bible through the help of the Holy Spirit. I have trained many artistes too, some of them are Esther Igbekele, Omo Olope, and many others. Why do you think gospel music especially the new generation gospel music lacks inspiration? The reasons are not far-fetched; what they need to do is to seek the Holy Spirit’s directives. Many of our gospel artistes now are lazy. They need to be disciplined and allow the Holy Spirit direct their musical calling, otherwise they will not improve.

Thursday, 19 November, 2015 Editor:

health you&EYE

Sade Oguntola sadeboguntola@yahoo.com 0805 506 9260

sex,sexuality&You

naturalhealth

INSIDE

Ways you can get Sexually Transmitted Diseases without having sex Page 37

natural health

Do pregnant women need to eat for two?

By Victor Ogunyinka

Herbs that best treat diabetes —Experts

Page 37

Regular breakfast lowers heart disease, obesity risk —Expert Page 34

UI offers to support health provison in Oyo hospitals HEALTH QUOTE

Page 34

ne eating virtue that is important to eating right and healthy is discipline. The last time I overfed was practically because I didn’t know when to stop, not because I was hungry but breaking the flow from hand to mouth was just too difficult to risk and at the end, I earned by myself not only a sleepless night but also a very torrid time in the gent. There has been lingering debate about if one should eat only to burst hunger or eat regardless, for nutrition sake. As Festus Akingbade puts it, “I eat only when I’m hungry and that means I could stay a whole day without food if I don’t see the need for one, but whenever I eat, I make sure I eat as much as I could.” Sometimes, people are spoilt with food choice and making right decisions on which is needed to satiate their hunger and taste is a huge task. In the end, the easiest thing to do is eat, eat and eat their way to discomfort, it is called overeating. Recent findings have revealed that individuals who gain the less body weight during overfeeding are those who experience a greater increase in total energy expenditure. Apart from discomfort and restricted movement when you overeat, a food expert and proprietor of SammyLegend Foundation, Ikorodu, Samson Ajobiewe, said that pregnant women and children are more at risk of overeating. Ajobiewe revealed that eating too much when pregnant, could lead to excess weight gain, explaining that how much weight one needs to gain during pregnancy depends on one’s weight before one got pregnant.

“As a pregnant woman, you are actually eating for two, but you do not need to eat twice as much as you normally do. In fact, during the first trimester, you don’t need any additional calorie per day. Overeating during pregnancy not only affects your health, but the baby’s. Eating too much when pregnant can lead to excess weight gain. How much weight you need to gain during pregnancy depends on your weight before you got pregnant. Gaining too much weight during pregnancy can affect you physically, increasing back pain and leg pain. It also increases your risk of developing hemorrhoids and varicose veins. “Overfeeding pregnant women can also be at risk of gestational diabetes: Overeating and excess weight gain also increase your risk of developing gestational diabetes, which is when your body is not able to make or use insulin properly leading to elevated blood sugars. If left uncontrolled, it can affect the health of your baby. The elevated blood sugars also increases the baby’s insulin and blood sugar levels, and acts as a source of excess energy, which the baby stores as fat. The baby’s excess fat and elevated insulin levels increases his risk of obesity and the development of type 2 diabetes,” he said. Experts also said that not only do eating too many calories affect the weight of pregnant women, but it also affects the baby’s weight. When you gain too much weight, it is more than likely that you will give birth to a larger baby during delivery; a large baby can damage your birth canal. There is also a risk that the baby may damage its shoulders during delivery. It also increases your risk of having to have a Caesarean section,

which affects your recovery period. There is more to overeating than just weight gain; one of the troubles associated to it is heartburns and constipation. Imagine yourself in a luncheon or dinner party where varieties of dishes are set before you, some, you haven’t come across in a lifetime and the urge to ‘test run’ all dishes in the menu overrides your sense of judgment such that you gluttonously have a collector item of meals to contend with? Ajobiewe explained that heartburn is already an issue when you’re pregnant, because the hormone progesterone relaxes the valve that separates the stomach from the oesophagus, causing reflux of the stomach contents. “Plus, if you’re further along in your pregnancy, your growing womb crowds out your digestive tract and puts more pressure on your intestines and stomach. Eating more than normal only exacerbates the heartburn and indigestion. “Too much unhealthy food can cause weight gain. One out of every three children is overweight or obese. Overfeeding of children is one reason why the childhood overweight and obesity rates are climbing at an alarming rate. The physical and mental health consequences of feeding children too much can be devastating during childhood and into adulthood. “The consequences of standardised overfeeding on body weight have shown, however, considerable inter-individual variability, which suggests that it also leads to adaptative changes in energy expenditure, in some individuals at least,” he said.

Man is a creature composed of countless millions of cells: a microbe is composed of only one, yet throughout the ages the two have been in ceaseless conflict. —A.B. Christie

34 everydayhealth

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

Regular breakfast lowers heart disease, obesity risk —Expert Newton-Ray Ukwuoma —Lagos

The Vice President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria and lecturer of Biochemistry at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Dr. Bartholomew Brai, has enjoined members of the public to take breakfast regularly as it lowers the risk of cardiac related diseases and maintains healthy body weight. He made the statement on Monday during the launch of new Nestle Milo beverage termed Milo Active-Go at the Ilupeju head office, Lagos. Speaking on the importance of breakfast to healthy living at the event, Dr Brai, identified the neglect of breakfast as a contrary practice of weight loss. He pointed out that the high rate of obesity, malnutrition, and heart diseases prevalent in the society are some of the scientifically proven dangers of skipping breakfast. Brai said, “Breakfast is the first and most important meal of the day. It supplies the energy needed to kick start the body’s metabolism after the night’s fast. And studies have shown that regular breakfast eaters have higher chances of maintaining health body weight and lowering the risk of cardiac and other related diseases. “When breakfast is skipped, one is likely to eat more during the day in order to recover the lost energy and this can lead

to overweight and obesity. However, taking breakfast regularly reduces the chances of nibbling junk food, which in turn reduces the intake of cholesterol and other calorie earning food. Thereby preventing excess weight gain, heart diseases and protruding stomach especially in men.” He encouraged breakfast eaters to include all food groups especially fibre related carbohydrate, beverages, protein, fats and fruits in their daily meal and to eat within three hours of waking up as energy derived from a balanced breakfast also improves physical activities, memory retention and performance in both children and adults. “Breakfast should not be skipped. It should be the richest meal of day. Let your breakfast be nutrient dense. A good balance of minerals and vitamins in your breakfast will improve better performance and memory retention in chil-

dren and adult. Therefore, eat like a king in the morning, like a prince in the afternoon and like a pauper at night,” he said. Speaking also during the

launch, the Category Manager, Beverages of Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mr Olufemi Akintola, said the newly reformulated Milo Active-Go

Three years into the establishment of a Private Public Partnership (PPP) laboratory by the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan in conjunction with Fidelity Bank, the hospital said it had fulfilled its mandate of immediate laboratory services both to the people within and outside the hospital. UCH’s Chief Medical director, Professor Temitope Alonge, spoke at the third anniversary of the laboratory that afforded its clients 20 per cent discount on all tests done for a period of one week at the hospital. According to Alonge, the laboratory which had an N90 million investment from the bank and already recognised globally for its accurate results, had sup-

minerals for energy release, muscle function and bone maintenance, which are essential for physical activity in children”.

From left, Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Professor Temitope Alonge; Deputy VC, (Academics), Professor Gbemisola Oke and Provost, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Professor Babatunde Salako at the event recently. Photo Tommy Adegbite.

UI offers to support health provison in Oyo hospitals By Sade Oguntola TO assist assisting the health system in Oyo State, University of Ibadan (UI) has offered its over 250 medical consultants to support health care provision, saying such relations hips ensure greater interaction between the gown and the town and an improved service delivery.

UI’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Isaac Adewole, who spoke at the 40th anniversary and fund raising ceremony for development projects at the Faculty of Dentistry in Ibadan, stated that the university was yet to see such relationships develop despite past gestures to the state government.

Adewole, represented at the occasion by the Provost, Ibadan College of Medicine, Professor Babatunde Salako, said “we are yet to see the kind of relationship our college or university should have with the state. “We believe that we can do a lot to assist our health system. We have more than 250 specialists within

What we gained from PPP laboratory —Alonge, UCH’s CMD By Sade Oguntola

beverage is “fortified with protomalt, a malt extract, and a combination of nine micro-nutrients including six vitamins and three

ported the immediate need of many patients going for emergency surgery, including caesarean sections and kidney dialysis. Alonge, while announcing the planned expansion of the PPP laboratory so that it could offer more services, declared “it was just a matter of making things work. I know that whatever results I get from here are quite comparable.” “The World Pathology from Australia, an international NGO that evaluates laboratories in the world, sampled all laboratories in Nigeria. The only laboratory that passed the test and qualified to call the laboratory of international value was the PPP laboratory. It was rated the best.” The laboratory, whose services are not affected by strike, he said had repaid its loan from Fidelity bank and was also supporting

the running of other laboratories in the hospital pending the Federal government’s reinvestment into these other laboratories. Alonge, however, said there should be no reason for discord on who manages any medical laboratory. According to him, “everywhere in the world, the laboratory is managed by medical laboratory scientist. Doctors do not manage laboratory, they sit back, get the result and interpret the result in line with the patient’s medical condition. “So there is no reason for any discord, since their jobs are different but the doctors have to be sure how the laboratory results come out and has the right to know how to use the machine. Managing the laboratory is the sole arm of the

laboratory scientists.” The PPP laboratory, which charges same fees as other laboratories in the hospital and ensure that patients are treated with dignity, Dr Femi Afolabi, the hospital’s Chairman Medical Advisory Committee, said was a good template for others to copy. He, however, urged the staff in the laboratory to continue to maintain excellence in practice. The hospital’s PPP manager, Mrs Olufisayo Famuyibo acknowledged that the laboratory machines were still being underutilised, but noted that results from the laboratory are usually out within one and one and a half hours. Famuyibo, said that till date, there has been 35,986 and 83,033 haematology and chemical pathology requests to the laboratory.

the college and the university and we should be able to work out how they could work in your hospital. That will reduce your cost.” UI’s vice chancellor, noted that such is done in many hospitals abroad, adding that the university’s medical training had contributed to the university’s reputation over the years and that its products dotted everywhere in the world, doing well. Adewole, remarking that products of the university had continued to excel, however, debunked allegations of a decline in standard of education. Rather, he said, standard of education was still maintained but progressing only slowly. According to him, “what we are doing today is an opportunity to strengthen our standard and to ask people to join with us to ensure we keep that standard. If you do that, we will be able to give you products that will excel within the society and will provide standard good health for all of us.” Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who was represented by his deputy, Chief Moses Adeyemo, acknowledged the excellent practice by products of the College of Medicine in its service and reiterated the commitment of his government to provi-

sion of basic health amenities and good health of the citizenry. Ajimobi, then, urged for increased support for the faculty of dentistry, saying this will help it to further add value and be more active for the benefit of health care delivery in the state. Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital, Professor Temitope Alonge, described private public partnership (PPP) as the way to finance dental services and faculty of dentistry, saying that this was the method the hospital had used to finance its services. Congratulating the Dental school that had clocked 40 years, Alonge said more services to mankind were being looked forward to from the school just as he urged for increased support for the college from its alumnus. Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi said the teeth bring beauty and importance to the mouth, showering accolades on the dental care in the college, which he said he had benefited immensely from in times past. The monarch, while calling on Governor Abiola Ajimobi to do everything possible to assist training by faculty of dentistry, said “I know the importance of dental care in humans.”

Thursiday, 19 November, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

NATIONAL UNION OF ROAD TRANSPORT WORKERS The national leadership of NURTW led by its President, Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin, on Tuesday, in Abuja reconciled the two factions of Lagos State Council of NURTW. Here are some of the faces at the meeting

8 1. The National President, NURTW, Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin, addressing the two factions at the meeting. 2. Alhaji Najeem Yasin (left), discussing with the General-Secretary of the union, Comrade Clement Wetkur, JP. 3. Chairman, NURTW, Lagos State Council, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede (second right) and some of his executive members after the reconciliation. 4. Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede (right), exchanging pleasantries with the Treasurer, NURTW, Lagos State, Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya. 5. From left, Comrade Musiliu Akinsanya, Sulaimon Ojora, Mustapha Adekunle and

Tokunbo Seriki, while taking oath of office. 6. The state Auditor, Alhaji Mustapha Adekunle, receiving his certificate of Return from the President, Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin. 7. Former Chairman, NURTW, Lagos State, Alhaji Bashiru Dania (left), and Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya. 8. Members of Lagos State Administrative Council of the union, Lagos Elders Forum and members of the National Administrative Council in a group photograph after the meeting.

Thursday, 19 November, 2013

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

Herbs that best treat diabetes –Experts By Sade Oguntola

any common herbs and spices are claimed to have blood sugar lowering properties that make them useful for people with or at high risk of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes doesn’t just affect blood sugar and insulin secretion—it also can lead to a host of other problems including kidney damage, blood vessel thickening, nerve damage and pain. A number of clinical studies have been carried out in recent years that show potential links between herbal therapies and improved blood glucose control, which has led to an increase in people with diabetes using these more ‘natural’ ingredients to help manage their condition. Plant-based therapies that have been shown in some studies to have anti-diabetic properties include Aloe vera, mango leaves, garlic, holy basil, bitter melon, ginger and okra. While such therapies are commonly used in ayurvedic and oriental medicine for treating serious conditions such as diabetes, health experts say there use as natural therapies to reduce blood sugars varies. Experts’ comparison of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of four medicinal plants (Acanthus montanus, Asystasia gangetica, Emilia coccinea and Hibiscus rosasinensis) found that their extracts made with ethanol were more potent in reducing blood sugar than their water extract. Acanthus montanus, commonly called English false thistle, ágàméèbù (Igbo); or ahÍn ¹ìkùn (Yoruba). Asystasia gangetica is ìkéré(Igbo), or òòkåìróò or lobiri (Yoruba). Emilia coccinea is òtei-ènç (Igbo) or òòdúndún-odò (Yoruba). Hibis-

RAL sex is a sexual activity which involves the use of the mouth to stimulate partner’s genitals. There are several types; cunnilingus, sometimes referred to as cunnilinctus is the oral stimulation of a woman’s vagina and or vulva, especially her clitoris by her partner’s lips and tongue. Fellatio is stimulation of a man’s penis by his partner’s mouth; usually by licking or sucking. It is often wrongly referred to as a blow job in fact; it is highly dangerous to blow during this act or during cunnilingus. Nippling is sucking or licking your partner’s nipples. It carries almost no risk of any infection. Rimming is stimulation of the partner’s anus with tongue or lips. Note that the anus is not a very clean area of the body, there is no doubt that rimming will lead to a transfer of germs to the mouth. Oral sex is now widely practised in both heterosexual and homosexual relationships. For many years, it was regarded as an almost unmentionable activity. But these days, research suggests that most sexually active people go in for oral sex sometimes. Out of the different types of oral sex, fellatio and cunnilingus are extremely popular, and are widely regarded as a normal, enjoyable part of a sexual relationship. Furthermore, it is been shown that oral sex has certain positive aspects. Oral sex can be extraordinarily effective at helping women to reach a climax. It can also help men who have difficulties in getting an erection. It also cannot get a woman pregnant.

cus rosasinensis is called Adodo pupa or Kekeke (Yoruba). In this 2015 study, the experts declared in the Journal of Interculture and Ethnopharmacology that the combination of the herbal extracts synergistically improved the therapeutic potentials of the individual herbal extracts. The study involved Paul Chidoka Chikezie at the Imo State University, Owerri in collaboration with Okey Alphonsus Ojiako and Agomuo Chizaramoku Ogbuji. The study to ascertain the capacities of crude aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of four plants as well as their combinatorial formulations to reduce blood sugar was carried out in diabetic rats. This is on the premise that herbal concoctions from different plants might serve to potentiate the efficacy of the herbal extracts toward reducing blood sugar. The experts, who showed that these herbal extracts and its combinatorial formulations exhibited divergent blood glucose lowering

natural

health

effect in these rats, saying they contain a variety of anti-diabetic phytochemicals. Meanwhile, corn silk is also said to work on diabetes. Chinese researchers at Henan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China, indicated that corn silk showed good effect on decreasing blood glucose and protection action on the kidney and pancreas injury in the rats with medically induced diabetes using streptozocin (STZ), a naturally occurring chemical. Japanese researchers at the Meiji Pharmaceutical University, Japan, in another study published in Biological & Pharmacological Bulletin, have found that the water extract of corn suppressed the progression kidney disease in STZ-induced diabetic rat. Also, according to a new study presented at The Endocrine Society’s 97th annual meeting in San Diego, United States, the extract

of onion bulb, strongly lowered high blood glucose (sugar) and total cholesterol levels in diabetic rats when given with the antidiabetic drug metformin. Researchers have also found, in clinical studies, that crude onion produced hypoglycemic effects and could be used as a dietary supplement in management of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study was published in the journal Environmental Health Insights. Nigerian researchers from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Agulu campus, Anambra State, have also established the antidiabetic efficacy of combined aqueous extract of Gongronema latifolium (utazi in Ibo, arokeke in Yoruba) and onion a popular polyherbal therapy in treatment of diabetes mellitus in South Eastern Nigeria. The study, published in Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, showed that the polyherbal antidiabetic remedy expressed good actions in reducing blood glucose when combined in the ratio of 1:1 or 2:1 than 1:2. Researchers said a meal of fluted pumpkin (ugwu) leaves and seeds could be used to lower diabetes and heart disease risks. Researchers at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, as well demonstrated how fluted pumpkin leaves reduced ‘blood sugar levels.” In addition, water extract of African mistletoe, researchers said in the 2014 edition of the journal, International Research Journal of Natural Sciences, was very safe and potent to lower blood sugar and cholesterol.

sex,sexuality

&your health With Monica Taiwo

strictly adult teenagers, adult & geriatric sexual well being

08187754992 (sms only) taiwomonica@gmail.com

Risks associated with oral sex A lot of people get concerned; whether oral sex could give them infection. Because of concerns about the possibility of HIV and other infections transmission through the widespread practice of oral sex, the UK Department of Health set up an expert group to report back on the matter. In broad summary, their main conclusions were: HIV and other infections can be transmitted by oral sex. Oral sex is certainly much safer when it comes to transmitting HIV and other infections than rectal or anal sex. Oral sex is probably safer than vaginal intercourse. Though ulcers in the mouth could increase the risk, in this case, oral sex could be more risky than penetrative sex. In the case of cunnilingus, there may be an increased risk of transmission if the woman is menstruating. There is no evidence that mouthwashes could reduce the risk of infection. Using condoms during oral sex could reduce the chance of infection, but not eliminate it. Continues next week

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

Lagosmetro

Nigerian Tribune

Edited By

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Dismissed soldier arrested for robbery Olalekan Olabulo A 40-year-old suspected armed robber who claimed to be a dismissed soldier has been arrested by the police. The suspect, identified as Kelechi Okorie, was arrested by policemen around Ajah after he allegedly attempted to rob a commercial motorcyclist of his motorbike. Lagos Metro gathered that the suspect reportedly pointed a pistol at the rider and ordered him to surrender his motorcycle to him which the rider reportedly bluntly refused. He allegedly shot the rider in the leg and as they were both struggling to get control of the bike, people around the area mobilised and arrested him, then handed him over to the police. Okorie in his statement to the police claimed to have been dismissed from the Nigerian Army in 2013 after he went AWOL. He also confessed to being a member of a three-man armed robbery gang but insisted that members of the gang had never killed any of their victims. Efforts to get the reaction of the image maker in charge of the state police command, Joe Offor, failed as calls to his mobile phone line were not answered.

Long queue of jerry cans at Conoil, Alapere Ketu as the petrol and kerosene scarcity hits hard in Lagos. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA

Highway sweeper knocked dead in Lagos

highway sweeper from the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) on Wednesday lost her life when a vehicle knocked her off the Third Mainland Bridge to the ground. A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who visited the scene of the accident reported that the sweeper was hit after the vehicle had a burst tyre. NAN reports that the ac-

cident occurred at about 11 a.m. behind Kam Salem House, the police headquarters annex at Obalende. The driver of the vehicle, a military officer, was said to be speeding when his tyre burst and the vehicle somersaulted severally. The victim, according to eyewitnesses, was flung into the air and thrown over the bridge to the ground. The unconscious military officer was taken to the nearby Military Hospital in

Ikoyi in a tricycle, popularly known as “Keke Marwa” by his colleagues. The victim, who was identified as Bisi by her colleagues was said to be a dutiful worker who loved her job with passion in spite of the little salary she earned. An official of Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA), who spoke anonymously, confirmed to NAN that the owner of the Peugeot 407 car was on high speed when

Security remains my priority — Ambode Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday restated his commitment to protect the lives and property of the people of the state, just as he assured that security remains an important area of focus for his administration. Governor Ambode, who spoke in Lagos at a dinner organised in honour of outgoing and incoming members of the Board of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) said there was a serious need for the private sector to scale up their support towards government’s effort to tackle insecurity. The governor said that with the reality that there

were not enough security operatives to secure the state, the solution was to invest in the right technology to help in the fight against crime. Emphasising that the state needed close circuit cameras in all public places and data of all suspected criminal elements, Governor Ambode stressed that it was important for police stations to have technology to access data from all over the world so as to make the tracking of criminals easier. The governor, who said that to police a state with over 21 million people required a lot more than just additional policemen, however urged both members

of the Trust Fund and the private sector to help in the area of investing more in technology, which he admitted was not cheap, hence the need for massive support for government. Lauding members of the outgoing Board of the LSSTF

for a job well done, Governor Ambode recalled that since November 2007 when the Board was inaugurated, a strong partnership has been forged between the government and the private sector to address the security challenges facing the state.

Female ticket seller bites colleague’s hand Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin A 25-year-old LAGBUS ticket seller, Bisiriyu Adekunle, has been accused of biting her colleague on his right hand. It was gathered that Adekunle, who is a ticket seller

with the BRT LAGBUS bit the complainant, Adebanjo Sunday, when they had a misunderstanding which resulted to a fight. The accused allegedly bit the complainant on the right arm and gave him a permanent scar.

the tyre burst. As at the time of this report, the mangled body of the victim was covered with

cellophane and cloth while her colleagues awaited their managers to arrive at the scene.

Man sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for drug trafficking Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin A 37-year-old man, Gafar Yaya, has been sentenced to five years imprisonment for drug trafficking. Yaya a trader, was charged by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), for drug trafficking. The convict was arrested at Abule-Oki Bus Stop, IyanaIpaja while selling cannabis

sativa also known as Indian hemp to touts in the vicinity. He was subsequently arrested by NDLEA officials and the drug substances were seized. He pleaded guilty to the charge. Following his plea, Justice John Tsoho of a Federal High Court sentenced him to five years imprisonment to begin from the date of his arrest.

Man remanded in prison for allegedly raping cousin Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin A 25-year-old man, Asimiu Adebayo, was on Wednesday remanded at Kirirkiri Prison, for allegedly defiling his cousin. Adebayo, who lives with the father of the victim at the Moricas Area of Agege, Lagos, was caught in the act when one of the neighbours who heard the screaming of the girl peeped through the window and saw the accused

raping the girl. The neighbour then alerted the other tenants and the accused was apprehended. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge when he was arraigned before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ court. The presiding magistrate, Tajudeen Elias remanded Adebayo in prison and the case was adjourned till November 25, for ruling on his bail application.

news

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

APC responsible for assassination attempt on Ekweremadu —PDP Alleges Secondus, Akpabio, Oladipo, others on hit list Jacob Segun Olatunji and Leon Usigbe -Abuja

ARELY 24 hours after the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, escaped assassination attempt in Abuja, the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday, accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of being the brain behind the failed plot. This came just as the party also alleged that a killer squad sponsored by some people in the presidency was on the prow to eliminate high-profile members of PDP. According to the PDP, its leaders already marked for elimination included the acting national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus; chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Dr Bello Haliru Mohammed; national secretary, Professor Wale Oladipo; Senate minority leader, Chief Godswill Akpabio and the House of Representative minority leader, Honourable Leo Ogor, among others. Briefing newsmen in Abuja shortly after the weekly meeting of the party's National Working Committee (NWC), its national publicity secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, flanked by others members of the NWC, stated that the claims of the party was based on credible intelligence reports at its disposal. "The brazen attempt at the life of the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on his way to work brings to the fore, fears that the era of political assassination may have returned to our dear country under the APC-led Federal Government." According to Chief Metuh, "recall that we have severally in the past alerted Nigerians to threats to the lives of key and outspoken opposition leaders by the APC and its Federal Government. "We had also informed Nigerians that key PDP leaders were being trailed and that the government should be held responsible should any of them suddenly become victim of ‘terror attacks’, unexplained accidents, kidnapped or suddenly killed by ‘armed robbers’. "Nigerians are witnesses to the growing draconian proclivity of this government, the increasing muzzling of opposition using security forces, judicial persecution and other devious means aimed at decimating our party to pave way for the imposition of one-party state, all in the desperate bid

by this particular regime to forcefully retain power in 2019. "The PDP does not mince words in holding the APC responsible for the Tuesday attempt on the life of the Deputy Senate President. As you are well aware, APC leaders have not hidden their bitterness

and resentment towards Senator Ekweremadu, whose offense is the privilege of being elected as Deputy Senate President, in line with the Standing Rules of the Senate and provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. "Is it not shocking that

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in furtherance of plan to take over the office of the Deputy Senate President, went ahead at plenary today to occupy his seat and attempted to assume the duties associated with that office? "Intelligence information available to us, however in-

dicates, that Senator Ekweremadu is not an isolated target, as notable PDP leaders, including Bello Haliru Mohammed, Prince Uche Secondus, Professor Adewale Oladipo and members of the NWC, Senator Akpabio, Honourable Leo Ogor, among others, have also been penciled down for as-

sassination." The PDP spokesman further faulted the ordering of the arrest of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Dasuki Sambo, by President Buhari "based on the verdict of a subjective administrative panel, which was preset to indict him."

PDP senators protest as Tinubu occupies Ekweremadu’s seat Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja SENATORS of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) created a scene on Wednesday, when they stopped Senator Oluremi Tinubu from speaking from the seat of the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu. Senator Tinubu had occupied Ekweremadu’s seat in his absence and remained on the seat almost throughout the sitting. But the chamber erupted into uproar when the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, called Tinubu to second the motion in respect of the $200 million loan for Lagos State. Senators of the PDP protested attempts by the wife of former Lagos State governor to speak from Ekweremadu’s seat, which they said was against the rules of the Senate. As Tinubu rose to speak, the protest from the PDP wing of the chamber was overwhelming, forcing her to make some explanations. She told her colleagues from the opposition party that she was on the seat because the microphone on her seat was faulty. The plea was, however, unacceptable to PDP senators, who insisted that she must return to her seat. Tinubu was quoted in the media during the life of the seventh Senate that she would emerge the Deputy Senate President in the eighth Senate. Though an official explanation was given as to Ekweremadu’s absence, the Senate number two man, on Tuesday, escaped assassination attempt in Abuja. Senator Tinubu eventually left Ekweremadu’s seat for her seat and demonstrated to the feuding PDP senators that her microphone was faulty. She eventually asked a senator close to her seat for the favour to use her microphone to be able to second the motion moved by Senator Kabiru Gaya. She was only able to speak after getting the permission to sit beside a neighbour senator to make her com-

ments. It was after the permission of the senator sitting beside her that she was able to address her colleagues. She, however, returned to Ekweremadu’s seat and sat there for over one hour. Also on Wednesday, Senator Saraki inaugu-

rated seven standing committees of the Senate, including the Committee on Appropriation, headed by Senator Danjuma Goje; Finance, headed by Senator John Enoh; Banking, Insurance and other financial institutions, headed by Senator Rafiu Ibrahim

and the committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), headed by Senator Abubakar Kyari. Others committees inaugurated were Public Accounts, headed by Andy Uba; National Security and Intelligence, whose chair-

man is Senator Sha’aba Lafiagi and Communications, headed by Senator Gilbert Nnaji. While inaugurating the committees, Saraki asked the lawmakers to hit the ground running, adding that there was every reason to reposition the economy.

Supreme Court ruling on Saraki appropriate, Oluyede, Ozekhome tell Sagay, Falana By Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare TWO senior legal practitioners, Abibola Oluyede, counsel for the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and a constitutional and human rights lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, have faulted the condemnation that trailed the ruling of the Supreme Court over the trial of Senator Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). They described the views of Professor Itse Sagay, Chief Gboyega Awomolo and Femi Falana on the ruling and a perverse interpretation of granting a stay of proceeding to Dr Saraki in his pending matter before the CCT as wrong, comtemptuous and perverse interpretation of the law. While Oluyede reacted to the views of Professor Sagay and Falana, Ozekhome reacted to the views of Falana and Awomolo. Both legal luminaries described the opinions of their colleagues as biased and filled with prejudice, adding that this could undermine the authority of the judiciary In his reaction, Oluyede said the opinions are a “clearly orchestrated tirade against the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” adding that he had to react, “following two days of consistent bashing of the court for daring to do the unthinkable, by scuttling the politically motivated stampede to remove Saraki from his position as Senate President through an unconstitutional trial. “For now, I wish to respond to the clearly misconceived notion that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act can be used to oust the power of the courts to grant stay of proceedings in criminal trials. “Both eminent lawyers are

intolerably wrong and thus give the impression that their per incuriam opinions could only have been motivated by prejudice and not by their well known life long struggle for the public good. “Indeed, the manner in which their respected opinions have rabble-roused a surge of public opinion against the apex court in respect of an issue which is still sub-judice smacks, in my humble opinion, of criminal contempt,” Oluyede said. Ozekhome, on his part, described the views of Awomolo and Falana as an incredible “perverse interpretation” of the Law in which both men “sought to bind the Supreme Court with the uninterpreted pro-

visions of a law that only applies to trial courts.” In a write-up, entitled: “Awomolo-Falana’s comment - A Case of Unfortunate Sentiments Vs Law,” he described the reactions as “brash and unwarranted criticism of the apex court,” adding that Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) only states that: “An application for a stay of proceedings in respect of a criminal matter before the court shall not be granted,” a position which applies only to the trial court and not to appellate courts. Ozekhome added that those criticising the order made by the Supreme Court “are merely expressing biased political sentiments

rather than the correct position of the law,” since the right of appeal being preserved by the Supreme Court in the stay of proceedings is sourced directly from the Nigerian Constitution, not the ACJA which he described as a mere statute. “The powers of the Supreme Court to decide a case to finality cannot be compromised, whittled down, abated, or negated by any legislation subordinate to the constitution. The Supreme Court is not in the habit of making orders in vain and it possesses undoubted powers to ensure that whatever decision it arrives at would not be nugatory or overtaken by events,” Ozekhome said.

Military dislodges more Boko Haram insurgents in Borno From Chris Agbambu and James Bwala Troops of 154 Task Force Battalion of 29 Task Force Brigade have cleared Boko Haram insurgents' camp at Matali, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State. During the operation, some terrorists were killed, while weapons and improvised explosives-making devices were recovered. The feat came after some terrorists, who made spirited attempt to attack troops’ location using three VBIED at Mada, was successfully repelled. During the attack, which was meant to thwart the troops advancement, 26 terrorists were killed, while three soldiers sustained injuries.

In addition, the troops recovered one VBIED loaded with IED material, two AK47, 111 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) and 2 RPG bombs. Similarly, troops of 21Brigade also on fighting patrol at Firgi killed thee Boko Haram terrorists, rescued three women and recovered a vehicle and other items, while the others fled into the Sambisa forest. Meanwhile, the executive chairman of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Satomi Ahmed, said the agency has began training of 2,500 women displaced by Boko Haram insurgency on various “skills and trades” to be self-reliant and meet their basic family needs. Addressing newsmen on Wednesday, in Maiduguri,

on the plights of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in various camps, Ahmed disclosed that the beneficiaries were vulnerable women groups, drawn from 20 affected local government areas of the state and were taking refuge in the metropolis, the state capital. According to him, in the course of the four months’ training, the beneficiaries would be exposed to various skills, including tailoring, leather works, knitting, beads making and soap making. He added that some persons would also be trained on computer programs, Global System of Mobile Communications (GSM) handsets repairs and installation of satellite dishes.

40 politics&policy

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

The odds are against Audu —PDP leader

Wada has lost his chance —Audu’s campaign DG

In this interview with YINKA OLADOYINBO, a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State, who is also a retired Auditor General of the state, Hajia Maryam Ladi Ibrahim, spoke on the preparedness of the party for next Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

Comrade Isa Daniel, the Director General of the Prince Abubakar Audu Campaign Organisation, in this interview with YINKA OLADOYINBO spoke on next Saturday’s governorship election in the state, chances of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its programmes.

HAT can you say of the personality of the candidate of your party, Governor Idris Wada as the governorship election draws near? My passion for Governor Wada is based on his humility, his accountable nature and a human being ready to be transparently followed as much as possible in his administration. The governor has on many occasions showed that he is a leader that is worthy of being followed and I am sure this election is also going to be based on who the candidates are and their capacities to deliver. Governor Wada is somebody that is humane in nature unlike the candidate of the other party that is arrogant and does not accord dignity to people. It is believed that the election is going to be mainly between the APC and PDP, that is a former governor and the incumbent governor. What is your take? For the PDP, there you have an accountable and credible individual whom you can question and will be ready to give you a listening ear. We want leaders that the followers should be able to question and will provide solutions as much as possible. But that cannot be said of the governorship candidate of the APC. The time has gone when Kogi people will have a dictator as governor, the people of the state are sophisticated enough to know the best person for them and they are ready to exhibit that on November 21 when they file out to cast their votes for Governor Wada, who they know has restored peace and tranquility into the state. There has always been the argument that the two governors that came before Wada performed very well in term of infrastructural development, but that the last three and half years. Wada can be vilified for believing in continuity. Sometimes, Nigeria can be a difficult country, when people come and discontinue the projects embarked upon by their predecessors; they are tagged. When you come and continue with the projects of your predecessor, you will be termed non-performing. So, most of the projects that Wada started with in his first two years were continuation of the one started by the former governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris. One of such is the greater Lokoja water works, another one is the completion of the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja and so many other road projects. If one sees the list of projects being embarked upon by the present administration, one will be amazed how Wada is able to do this with the little resources available to him. So, what is your appraisal of Wada’s projects in the state so far? My view is that if you have a propaganda strategy, then you can turn black to white. He is not even ready to tell the people about

S the Director General of the Prince Abubakar Audu Campaign Organisation how will you describe his personal-

Ibrahim his achievements because I was one of the persons that told him to put his achievements in publications. If it were some governors that have such projects that Wada have, they would have made alot of propaganda and because you know that propaganda goes with alot of money and because does have much of the resources, he decided not to do much of that. As far as I’m concerned, giving him a second chance is worth it and he has got the followership too. One of the major issues that will determine the election is that of power rotation. What is your take on it? I want to say that it was Captain Idris Wada that actually kick-started the issue of power rotation. He is a man that is very peaceful and he is interested in ensuring equity. Because of his peaceful nature, he now said okay, let us put up a structure towards actualising power rotation and that if voted in, he will start the implementation because it is not good that we only talk about power rotation when it is election time. And we reasoned with him that both the Central and the West might have probably not got it right all the while but this time around, we want to get it right and to get it right, we have to respect the constitution. Let him complete his second tenure, let him complete some of the ongoing projects that he has started let him improve on the peaceful nature of Kogi as much as possible let him as much as possible provide employment for our young people. In Kogi, we have goldmine that is yet to be harvested. But we want to believe that if he comes up, he will be able to put up structures that will tap the mineral resources in the state for the state to have more funds to cater for infrastructural development of the state as much as possible. The wage bills of the state is actually weighing government down and I must say that because if you look at other states, you discover the wage bill of Kogi is much higher than what other states are paying. You know that once you enter into an agreement with labour unions on wages there is no way you can go back because they have started taking the money you can no longer say sorry,’ we don’t have money to pay.’ So, it is left for the state government to generate more funds as much as possible aside what is coming from the Federal Government so that they can give the state the required infrastructural development and equally pay the workers. If it were to be people, the incumbent Governor could say let’s retrench workers, Wada wouldn’t do that but rather endeavours to manage the situation.

ity? Prince Audu is not a new name in the political terrain of our country, not just Kogi State. To us he is an institution politically; he is a man that has been tested and trusted, Kogi state as it stands today, happens to be his brainchild, he is the architect of the state. Practically all you see in Kogi state today as far as the dividends of democracy is concerned are all he did while he was in office. That is what the PDP-led government for the past 12 years cannot maintain not to talk of bringing new ones on board. So, he is not a new name in the political terrain of the country. This is a man, as an opposition governor under the leadership of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was confirmed to be the best performing governor in the whole country. He won seven out of the available 11 awards during the media tour organised by the PDP-led Federal Government. In fact, Obasanjo was surprised and decided to call on other governors to come to Kogi and learn the dynamics of governance from Audu because our state was adjudged the fastest-developing state in the country. But, what we are having today is a mirage of what Audu left behind. After Audu left in 2003, he has contested governorship elections afterwards and he lost. Does it mean the people didnt recognise all this you have said about him? Let me correct an impression, he was rigged out of office, he never lost. It was in the course of rigging him out of office that we saw for the first time uniformed men, soldiers and even policemen carrying ballot boxes in favour of PDP. They were beating, maiming and killing our party supporters. He won but he was rigged, for all the elections he contested, out of office. There was no one that he did not win, but were rigged, but today the agents of rigging election have gonento sleep courtesy of President Muhammadu Buhari. As such, we are not just going to win this election but the winning will be on a clean slate. It is going to be a very big margin; the whole world will attest to it after declaration that he has been winning elections. This is because what he has as his asset is no other thing but human beings and as a good politician, human beings mean a lot. What are those things that gives you assurance that your party will win the election? Gone are the days when you cajole people to vote for you by way of giving them money not minding whether they will reap dividends of democracy or not. Gone are the days you force people to vote for you by way of pointing guns at them, by way of flashing your machete; by way of thuggery. The people of Kogi have realised their mistakes; they have seen

Daniel with their eyes that on a daily basis, the state is going down. People can see the state of Lokoja as a state capital, see the roads. Civil servants for the past two years have not received their salaries, hospitals have been on strike; our children have not been going to school, there are some sectors that receive salary but on percentage basis, especially the local government workers amidst heavy and mouth watering allocation, what are they using the money for? It is only in Kogi that the definition of democracy is government of the family, by the family and for the family, it is not for the people. This is an administration that recently went for a bond of about N20 billion and there is nothing to show for it, the same administration that wants bond of N20 billion is also requesting for bailout, a bailout that will go into personal and family coffers. It is the same administration that collected a lot of money from the Federal Government, individuals, corporate organisations, international organisations as flood relief package and as I speak, no one naira has been used to alleviate the suffering of all the flood victims in Kogi and you think these people are fools and will come and cast their votes again to these agents of doom. During our campaigns people have always been calling for the date of the election to come forward, they are tired of waiting for the actual day, they are anxious of seeing that the government changes today, not even in January. This is a game between a performer and a non performer, it is a game between an expert and a failure, it is a game between and experienced politician and a sleeping pilot. In specific terms, what are those things that your party will do differently as far as your programmes are concerned? The APC manifesto is a clean, clear one, it is a manifesto that is people and development oriented. We are coming to change the fortune of Kogite shy way of providing employment opportunities for our youths because 80 to 90 per cent of Kogi youths are okada riders and these people are graduates and they are nuisance to our society because they have nothing to do. The government of Audu is coming to make sure that we invest in the educational sector so that we can put our children to better schools, not children that will study under the hot sun, not children that will study in the rain without anything covering their heads, not students that will study with archaic learning materials, not children that will be under the tutelage of half-baked teachers.

news Kogi govt orders closure of schools 41

OGI government has ordered the closure of all public and private schools in the state from Tuesday, November 18 to Monday, November 23. The Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

Education, Alhaji Adamu Sheidu, confirmed the closure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Wednesday, in Lokoja. He said that the order affects only all primary and secondary schools in the state.

He said that the step became necessary as many of the schools would serve as temporary camps for security agents being deployed to the state for the November 21 governorship election. Sheidu said that the clo-

sure order, which came into effect on Tuesday, would last till Monday, November 23. The PRO advised parents and guardians to take note of the development and keep watch on the movement of their children dur-

APC accuses PDP of planning to disrupt poll You are mischievous, ignorant —PDP

Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State, on Wednesday, raised the alarm over alleged plans by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to disrupt the governorship election in the state. According to the APC, the PDP had already perfected plans to disrupt elections in Dekina, Ankpa, Ofu, Omale, Mopa-moro, Okehi

and other places that it had identified as its weak support bases. In a statement signed by the Head of Media and Publicity of Audu/Faleke Campaign Organisation, Dr Tom Ohikere, the APC alleged that there were plans to use thugs to disrupt elections in places where the PDP feels that it has a weak support base. The thugs that would be used for this assignment

I have been prudent with Kogi resources —Wada Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja

THE Kogi State governor, Captain Idris Wada, has said that there was no ostentation in his government as he had been prudent with the resources of the state since he assumed office. This is coming just as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abubakar Audu, Labour Party (LP) candidate, Dr Phillips Salawu and the Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA), Enesi Ozigi again failed to turn up for a governorship debate organised to enable them sell their programmes to the electorates. The debate was organised by the Kogi Coalition of Business and Professional Associations (KOCOBPA) with support from the Nigeria Debate Group, Centre for International Private Enterprise, Washington DC, Nigeria Election Debate Group,

International Republican Institute, among others. The coordinator of the debate, Dr John Alabi, who confirmed that invitation was duly served to all the candidates, wondered why Audu and others did not show up for the debate. He said that was the third time the body was organising a political debate in the state, lamenting that for parties to abscond from the laudable initiative was not good for the state. However, answering questions during the debate, Wada said the present administration had never engaged in any white elephant project. He said his government had revolutionarised agriculture, saying that in the area of health, education, road construction and rural development, his government have also done a lot to the admiration of the people.

I didn’t say Audu can’t contest —Fayose EKITI State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has said that the Kogi All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Alhaji Abubakar Audu, has the right to contest the governorship election. Fayose said the statement credited to him that Audu was not qualified to contest, based on corruption cases he has in court, was not made by him. Fayose, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, in Ado-Ekiti, on Wednesday, said his statement at Lokoja, during the grand finale of Peoples Democratic

Party (PDP) Governorship Campaign Rally, centred strictly on advocating for a free and fair election like that of Ekiti State. The governor said that his comment had nothing to do with Audu, his former colleague, stressing that in law, every man is adjudged innocent until proved otherwise by the law court. His words: “I wish to state clearly that Alhaji Abubakar Audu has the right to contest. That statement that he cannot contest was not made by me. What I said in Lokoja had nothing to do with Alhaji Audu and I am not contesting his eligibility.

were being allegedly recruited, trained, funded and coordinated by a chieftain of the PDP in the state. Ohikere charged the security operatives to investigate and ensure that these armed men were arrested and made to face the necessary judicial charges, advising security agencies to beam their lights on the activities of the group. Dr Ohikere said: “Report reaching us from the field in Mopa-moro, moments ago, has it that PDP distributed cutlasses and other dangerous weapons to their thugs thereby chasing the APC members and the coordinators of change initiatives campaign group this morning from door-to-door.” But the PDP in its reaction, through the Chief

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Muhammed Sikirat now AHMED OMOYI SIKIRAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. General public take note.

Communication Manager to the governor, Phrank Shaibu, said only ignorance or outright mischief could have contrived such allegation. He said, “While we acknowledge the APC’s right to defend and absolve themselves from our allegations only a few days ago, on the suspicion of possession of arms and ammunition by the same set of people, it is difficult to neither understand nor accept the sudden twist in accusing us of doing what is naturally their trade in stock.”

ing the period of the election. He also warned proprietors of private secondary and primary schools in the state against violating the order. The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Sunday Arase, had on Tuesday, in Lokoja, announced that 12,000 policemen would be deployed for the election.

Nigerian Tribune

According to him, a unit of mobile policemen will be sent to each of the 21 local government councils in the state. He explained further that a Deputy-Inspector General of Police, one Assistant Inspector-General of Police and no fewer than three Police Commissioners would be on the ground to coordinate the operation.

news Osinbajo, Tinubu, Odigie-Oyegun, govs canvass support for Audu 42

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

We’re vindicated by Buhari’s absence —PDP Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja

EADERS of the All Progressives Congress (APC) including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the national chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, a national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former national chairman, Chief Bisi Akande and some governors elected on the platform of the party, on Wednesday, asked the people of Kogi State to vote for the APC candidate in the governorship election in the state, Abubakar Audu. The state governors that joined their voices to that of the leaders at the grand finale of the governor-

ship rally of the APC, held at the Lokoja Confluence Stadium, Lokoja, the state capital, were those of Edo, Adams Oshiomhole, Kano, Abdulahi Ganduje and Solomon Lalung of Plateau. Speaking at the rally, the vice president said there was the need for the people of Kogi State to join the wind of change blowing across the country. He said that the only thing that could make progress achievable in the state, was to support the effort at changing the government of the state. According to him, the only party that could bring the needed positive change is the APC, asking the people to massively come out and

NSCDC deploys 5,000 personnel for Kogi election We won’t deploy military —INEC Mr Abdullahi Muhammadu, CommandantGeneral, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has ordered the deployment of 5,000 personnel and sniffer dogs for the Kogi governorship election. This was contained in a statement by the NSCDC spokesman, Mr Emmanuel Okeh, and made available to newsmen in Abuja, on Wednesday. The statement said this was in line with the NSCDC mandate of providing security before, during and after elections. It said the NSCDC also had the mandate to monitor activities of political parties as well as political actors through surveillance and intelligence gathering. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Kogi governorship election has been scheduled to hold on Saturday, November 21. The statement assured that robust measures had been put in place to guarantee the security of lives and property. It quoted the NSCDC boss as charging politicians to play by the rules and not to take the law into their hands. He advised parents and guardians to caution their wards not to involve themselves in any form of electoral violence; saying that anyone caught fomenting trouble would be dealt with according to the law. Meanwhile, chairman

of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmud Yakubu, on Wednesday, declared that the commission would not deploy the military for electoral duties in the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states respectively. Yakubu made the clarification, in Abuja, while briefing the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral and Political Parties Matters on the preparations in place for the smooth conduct of the two elections and the operations of the Commission. Professor Yakubu who said that the police and men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) would be enough to police the elections also assured the law makers that the peace agreement signed by stakeholders in the affected states would be used as an oath of commitment to compel them to whip their supporters in line.

cast their votes for the candidate of the party. Osibanjo also called on the electorate to stand and monitor their votes at the polling units to ensure that they were not short changed. Addressing the crowd, Tinubu accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state of mismanaging and destroying the legacies left by Audu in 2003. The former Lagos State governor argued that the 12 years of PDP rule in Kogi State had further left

the state behind in terms of development, saying the ruling party had nothing to show for its reign but corruption. Oshiomhole, in his contribution accused Wada of under developing the state, adding that infrastructural decay in the state was obvious with regards to poor state of roads. He said workers in the state, especially primary school teachers and local government workers were in pitiable conditions as their salaries running to 23

months were left unpaid. He therefore called on the Kogi electorate to reject the PDP at the poll and vote for APC to enable them experience good governance as being enjoyed in other states being governed by members of the APC. However, state chapter of the PDP has said that the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari at the governorship grand finale rally of the APC had vindicated PDP on its earlier stance that the President rejected the candidature of

IGP assures of adequate security THE Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon E. Arase, fdc, NPM has assured Nigerian citizens, especially indigenes of Kogi State, of the readiness of the Nigeria Police and other relevant security agencies to provide effective security and ensure a smooth and orderly conduct of the Kogi gubernatorial election, which comes up on November 21, 2015. The IGP, who gave this assurance while addressing stakeholders and police officers and men on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 in Lokoja, warned all troublemakers and anti-social elements to stay away from Kogi State throughout the period of the election, as the police would not hesitate to arrest and prosecute any person, no matter how highly placed in society, who flouts the law or causes a breach of the peace. While directing the deployment of Marine Police, Anti-Bomb, Counter Terrorism Unit, Police Mobile Force, Force Intelligence Unit and Mounted Troop to complement the conventional police manpower deployed for the election, the Inspector-General of Police also directed the AIG in charge of the Police Air Wing to deploy the Force’s helicopter for aerial patrol before, during and after the election, on Saturday. To this end, the IGP has

directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Department of Operations, DIG Sotonye L. Wakama, to relocate to Lokoja, the headquarters of Kogi State, so as to ensure adequate police presence and coordination of all security operations for the election in all polling units and Collation Centres in the state. Meanwhile, the IGP, who has ordered all Police offi-

cers assigned to election duties in Kogi State to ensure they work in line with the Police Code of Conduct and international best practices, called on the members of the public particularly politicians, gubernatorial candidates and other relevant stakeholders in the state to cooperate with the police and other security agencies, in the onerous but patriotic task of guaranteeing a hitchfree gubernatorial poll.

PDP calls on members to resist harassment Leon Usigbe - Abuja

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has decried what it said was the All Progressives Congress (APC)led government’s use of security agencies to openly harass its members in Kogi State and has consequently called on its members to resist such harassment. It has also cautioned the ruling party and the police to note that there was a limit to which the people of Kogi State could stomach the “unlawful harassment and detention” of its members in the state ahead of Saturday’s governorship election. A statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, in Abuja, on Wednesday, explained that its position was consequent upon “the

Save our Soul (SOS) message from our Kogi State chapter, informing the national leadership that the police, using men of a special squad, have been arresting, beating up and invading homes of key PDP members in the state.” The statement added; “Information available to us show that Police operatives, acting on the orders of the APC government have been hounding, beating-up and arresting PDP members and supporters in Igalamala, Ofu, Dekina, Ankpa and Idah local governments and other areas in the state, ostensibly to intimidate and frighten the electorate and pave the way for some compromised INEC officials to manipulate the electoral process in favour of the APC. “We want Nigerians and

Communication minister, Shittu, solicits support for Audu Communication minister, Mr Adebayo Shittu, a lawyer, has drummed support for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Saturday’s governorship election, Prince Audu Abubakar, describing him as the right man that can take Kogi State to greater heights. Shittu, in a statement in

Abuja, by his Special assistant on social and online media, Mr Toyese Oladejo, affirmed that the four years of the PDP in the state was a great disaster in all sectors. The minister maintained that the people of Kogi State would not lag behind in the change bug stressing that this remains the only

Prince Abubakar Audu. The party in a statement signed by the state Publicity Secretary, Honourable Bode Ogunmola, said the party had always known that President Buhari would not want to be associated with Prince Audu given his tainted image. The statement further noted that PDP in Kogi State was now more re-assured of the determination of the APC led federal government to fight corruption to standstill. Ogunmola however maintained that the President, who is well known for his integrity, could not afford to stake out his neck for a man who is facing trial. According to the statement, “the cold shoulder that the President had given the APC candidate is a clear indication that the presidency cannot trust in the area of running a corrupt free administration.” The statement however urged the electorate in the state to shine their eyes, adding that it was clear that the APC was a lone ranger.

potent way to develop the state. He insisted that Prince Audu is not a stranger in the act of governing the state, assuring that he would bring his vast managerial and administrative knowledge to redirect the affairs of the state. The minister berated the PDP for crying wolves

where none exist, adding that the party is only been hunted by its glaring failures in the administration of the state in the last four years. He reassured the people of the state of a new dawn of prosperity and infrastructural development with the election of Prince Audu Abubakar.

the international community to note that this attack is a clear fall-out from the secret meeting between the Presidency and security agencies and INEC, which we exposed earlier this week. “The national leadership of the PDP condemns in the strongest possible terms, this reprehensible partisan deployment of state apparatus of power, which is yet another clear indication that the Nigerian police may have become a compromised instrument in the hands of the APC federal government in its bid to forcefully take over PDP states. “This intolerable and provocative operation by the Police cannot continue. Kogi State is a known PDP state and our members and supporters as free citizens, cannot be treated as prisoners of war in a state where they are clearly in the majority. The people of Kogi State are being pushed to the wall and we invite the entire nation to note the avoidable growing tension occasioned by the desperation of the APC to take over the state. “Consequently, we hereby state that we hold the Federal Government completely responsible should there be any civil unrest and/or breakdown of law and order in Kogi State or in any other part of the country where they have been exhibiting dictatorial and fascist tendencies.”

43 news Election Petition: Ortom wins at appeal

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

Johnson Babajide -Makurdi

PPEAL Court in Makurdi, on Wednesday, upheld the ruling of the governorship election petition tribunal in favour of the Benue State governor, Chief Samuel Ortom. The appellate court in its judgment delivered by the Presiding Judge, Justice Muhamad Garuba, dismissed the appeal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Prince Terhemen Tarzoor in the April 11 governorship election. The PDP governorship candidate, Prince Terhemen Tarzoor, had challenged the decision of the election petition tribunal that dismissed his petition and declared Governor Samuel Ortom as the duly elected governor of the state. Tarzoor, had on October 2, 2015 filed a 14-ground appeal, with complaints that the lower court erred

in its judgement that Ortom was duly elected, having not been properly nominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest the April 11, 2015 governorship election in the state. In his judgement, Justice Mohammed Garuba dismissed Tarzoor’s appeal and upheld the judgement of the tribunal delivered on

29 September 29, 2015. He said the appeal failed on all grounds, noting that rightly put, the evidence adduced by the first respondent appellant (Ortom) and the second respondent appellant (APC) outweighed that of the appellant (Tarzoor). “The burden rests on the petitioner who approaches a court to prove his petition.

AN Abuja High Court has given the Federal Government the approval to prefer criminal charges against the factional president of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IMPAN), Chief Obasi Lawson and three others. The court gave the goahead after holding that a prima facie case had been established against them. The trial judge, Justice Abba Mohammed, had in a judgment, dismissed the application by the defendants seeking to quash the six-count criminal charge preferred against them by the Federal Government for being incompetent and lacking in merit. Justice Mohammed had

Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri

ALTHOUGH most residents in Mammy Market besides the 3 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Effurun have been evacuated from danger zone, the fire that gutted the oil pipelines is still raging as of Wednesday afternoon. Fire fighters, who had been keeping vigil to prevent the fire from spreading to residential buildings since Tuesday night, were still

seen keeping watch. They were seen blocking the fire from engulfing a flood of crude oil splashed on the entire land. Besides soldiers maintaining law and order in the area, scores of sympathisers were also seen viewing and bemoaning the inferno which end is not yet in sight. For fear of being engulfed by the fire, motorists have resorted to concentrating

accordingly fixed December 7, 2015 for the arraignment of the defendants, Chief Obasi Lawson, Mr Ukadike Chinedu and Mr Augustine Erhabor, before his court sitting in Jabi, in Abuja. Counsel to the defendants, Edward I. Wanaghor, had urged the court to quash the charges against his clients and to also stop the court from entertaining any of the criminal charges against the defendants (Obasi Lawson & 3 ORS) on the grounds that the investigations by the Nigeria Police were

inconclusive. Prosecuting Counsel, from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) of the Federation, David Kaswe, however, vehemently opposed the preliminary objection by the defence counsel on the ground that it was premature since no charge had been preferred against his clients. Lawson was expelled in 2007 and 2013 by the National Executive Council of IPMAN, for gross insubordination.

on the recently constructed flyover to leave or enter Warri, causing gridlock in the process. It will be recalled that an explosion, it was gathered, erupted from oil pipelines said to belong to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which runs through the area. But a conflicting report also claimed that the fire began from a refuse dung that was set on fire Tuesday evening by an unidentified young man. It was gathered that most of the oil pipelines have, over the years, given in to rust and decay. When the Nigerian Tribune got to the scene of the fire incident on Wednesday afternoon, thick smoke was noticed emitting from three different locations. One was beside the newly-constructed flyover at Effurun roundabout, another behind Mammy Market and the third right behind the barracks of the 3 Battalion, Nigerian Army. The thick smoke emitting from the three points is,

however, a source of worry to residents in the twin towns of Warri and Effurun as they continued to inhale the substances to the detriment of their health. An official of the Delta State Fire Service, who would not disclose his identity, told the Nigerian Tribune that they had exhausted close to nine trucks of water to no avail. He, however, urged Delta residents living in Warri, Effurun and its environs to remain calm as efforts were ongoing to arrest the situation. No casualty was yet reported as of the time of filing this report. Head of Public Affairs, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr Goddy Agusa, who spoke to the Nigerian Tribune on phone, said the pipelines were that of the NNPC. He, however, blamed saboteurs of oil pipelines for the incident, adding that some hoodlums from a nearby community were said to be scouping fuel from the vandalised pipelines over a week before the explosion.

Tribune nominated as educational newspaper of the year Naza Okoli - Lagos TRIBUNE Newspapers has been nominated as “Educational Newspaper of the Year” in the maiden edition of Prestige Education Award administered by

New Lagos Times Education. The awards according to the organisers are designed to recognise “individuals, organisations, institutions and brands that have through diligence,

commitment and hard work achieved a feat worthy of reward and/ or has contributed to the development of Education in Nigeria.” According to a letter signed by the Project Director,

Biafra Radio: Drama in court as 2 lawyers battle over Kanu’s brief A mild drama ensued on Wednesday, at Wuse Zone 2 Magistrates’ Court as two lawyers, Gabriel Egbule and Vincent Obetta, battle over who would represent Nnamdi Kanu, the Director of Radio Biafra. Kanu is standing trial on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, intimidation and belonging to unlawful society, all of which he pleaded not guilty. At the resumed hearing of the case, Egbule who

the next step to take. While the state Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr Michael Gusah, said the judgment was an affirmation of the overwhelming mandate given to Governor Ortom by the people, adding that it would enable him to concentrate fully on the governance of the state.

Warri fire: Fire fighters keep vigil as pipeline fire rages on

IPMAN Crisis: Court gives FG approval to arraign factional president, others Sunday Ejike -Abuja

On the evaluation and examination of evidence, the tribunal did the proper and right thing. The appeal fails on all the grounds and is thereby dismissed. We uphold that the judgement of the tribunal delivered on September 29, 2015. Reacting to the judgment, counsel to Tarzoor, T.T. Hyundu said they would study it and then decide on

represented the accused when he was arraigned, announced appearance for Kanu, just as Obetta an Enugu-based legal practitioner also announced appearance on behalf of the accused. The double appearance resulted in serious argument. Egbule tendered a letter from Kanu’s wife to represent him in court while Obetta told the court that he received a consent

letter from kanu’s father and the indigenous people of Biafra to represent Kanu. Obetta also said that it was because of his inability to appear at the arraignment that Egbule was briefed to appear in the matter. Prosecution counsel, Moses Idakwo informed the court that the accused was not in court, adding that their inability to bring the accused was because of the application challenging

the jurisdiction of the court to try the matter. In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Shuaibu Ahmed, said in a criminal trial, it was binding on the prosecution to bring the accused to court as required by law. Ahmed adjourned the case till November 23 to enable the prosecution to produce the accused, and to allow Kanu time to choose his legal representative among the two lawyers.

Debo Olowu, nomination for the award, which was based on the opinion of the general public, spanned September 22 and October 5, 2015. Voting which began on Wednesday, October 28 will close on Saturday, November 21, the statement said. Among the judges listed for this year’s award are Professor Supo Jegede, Dean Faculty of Education, University of Lagos; Mr Lawrence Imafidon, SubDean, Faculty of Students’ Affairs and Mrs Morayo Afolabi Brown, Director of Programmes at Television Continental. The award ceremony has been scheduled to hold on Sunday, November 29, 2015, at the Golden Gate Paradise, Ikoyi.

Ex-education minister, AjaNwachukwu, dies at 63 A former minister of education, Dr Igwe AjaNwachukwu is dead. He passed on while receiving treatment at an Israeli hospital. He was aged 63. The former minister’s younger brother, Festus Aja-Nwachukwu, who confirmed the death while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, in Abuja, said his elder brother died on November 17. He said the former minister, who served during the administration of President Umaru Yar’Adua, had been receiving treatment at an Israeli hospital for about four weeks before passing on. Festus said he could not readily say the cause of his elder brother’s death until the death certificate was issued by the hospital. He said that details of the burial arrangements would be made public in due course.

Jehovah Witnesses’ convention holds Nov 20 Series of the annual convention of the Jehovah’s witnesses progresses into its sixth week, starting from November 20 – 22, 2015 at the Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s witnesses, Ifatumo on Ibadan- Iwo Road, Oyo State. The Convention themed: “Imitate Jesus” will highlight the unparalleled wisdom of Jesus Christ, his superb ability as a teacher, his tender compassion and empathy formed the keynote address entitled: “Concealed in him are all the treasure of wisdom”, to be delivered on Friday. The programme will also feature faith strengthening symposium, Bible-based drama, inspiring talks to motivate the attendees to be more conscious of the need to imitate the worthy example of Jesus Christ. This was contained in a press release signed by the media officer, Mr Paul Ukpe a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune. The programme will start on Friday and Saturday, at 8.20a.m and end by 3.55 p.m. It continues on Sunday, at 8.20a.m to 2.50p.m. About 30,000 delegates are expected from Oyo, Ogun and Osun states, at the annual events.

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10,11 Wk 18 Nap = 15x, 21x, 46x.

Three correct Nap draws set again for week 19, cost only N10, 000 cash. Payments at Access Bank to Mallam Musa I. Band, accts No 0042075587. Tel. 08052506287.

The wizard of 12x and chairman managing Director of king and George group of forcast papers Prince Willy Ehi Obinyan said at the weekend that he was set to give harvest of draws to stakers starting from this week to the uncoming Yelutide Season. He said he was making this promise owing to non superlative performance of his papers last week. He therefore enjoined stakers to study movements of games thoroughly from one section to the another in all his fortune papers. The paper are Pools Telegraph, Zeters Pools Guide, Murphy Sports, Shoot Pointers, The New Dream and final Result.

KAMARK SUPER – 08186673842

FORTUNE DONOR DONATES 5...7

MID-WEEK contin-

We are happy to present to you and the our teeming fans a new dimension in Pools, forecasting which will shake the industry to the marrows. For a start, coupon Nos 5 and 7 are donated to produce a mandatory draw on Saturday. Combine the duo with our IBK and were your 2/3 on Saturday. Our IBK still for only N1, 500.00, 2 draws cost N3, 000.00 and 3 draws cost N10, 000.00 08099111828. Best of luck!

5-46-49-(31/41) - (08087176217) We told you that the teams are settled down and your Juicy midweek has settled down with them, hence the continuation of the scintillating performance. Now take it or leave it, Nos 5-46-4931/41 are already for 4 solid draws next week end. Same set cost N30, 000.00 next week you have been told don’t call us this week. Just use them maximally and start calling from Sunday evening on 08087176217.

(08099111828)

BEST BARGAIN INTERNATIONAL 08163084077. WK 19 = 44CBK + OTHERS

With the return of full English Fixtures this Premiership and Championship sides taken their positions, the Pools Panel is set to unveil the fixed draws without any hesitation. Therefore, with the authority given to me by the Pools Panel, I command Altrin cham and Borteham Wood to draw on coupon No 44. Other fixed draws are also set to join No 44 to draw 4/ 4. Stakers interested in making their millions before the coming Xmas and the New Year should call 08163084077 for necessary discussion. Pool Panel has no agent in Nigeria. Best Bargain is the sole Representative of the Pools Panel in Nigeria. This is your chance to stop your losses.

DR BILLY 08034970970 34 OR 35 OUT WITH DAGENHAM

SETTING TO PLAY 34 OR 35 WITH 2 BANKER + 1 ALT

Dr Billy is now set to dazzle his members/customers with Dagenham on number 36 setting check wk 36 last year (even wk/yr) when Dagenham was away when it played 21 & 23 2Bks, 34 x 38 pair. This wk 19(odd wk/odd wk) Dagenham is on number 36 home to play 34 or 35 with another two gazetted bankers plus 1 alt. that must give us 3/3, ¾ and 4/5 this wk 19 cost N10,000 = WINNING is 100% GUARANTEED, DON’T MISS IT SIR

HOPE NAPS AND CO 08107128449 BEHOLD THE LORD IS TOO GOOD

BANKER 11 X 30 BANKER 11 X 30 BANKER 11 X 30 Hope naps assures fans and stakers that they must celebrate this year in a big form, we promise to give the best with our readymade draws wk in 19 while wk 20 will be ready colour better week in your life call hope and to payment FIRST BANK PLC, ACCOUNT NO:3088328923 in person of MR. GBADEBO STEPHEN A. While the week releases will be sent to you when your payment are confirm. BANKER 30 X 11 BANKER 30 X 11 BANKER 30 X 11. You must surely win by God Grace. Be sure of yourself wk 19 cost N10, 000 cash while wk 20 cost N15, 000 cash. Thanks God Bless. bye

ADEOTI - SYNDICATE 07051327960 GIANT PAIR:- X9 MUST 11X

Last week was week 18 giving you all Nos. 26x play o-o draw. This week bank the above Giant pair for one draw must week 21 is F.A.Cup round Nos 2 week 21 FA cup round 2 is our next release. 3 draw and a pair cost N10, 000 cash and pay your money to AHMED SHAFIRI a\c no: 2001788431 ZENITH BANK. After confirmation of your payment the game will be send to you. All members should expert their game and all those people who ready to joined as member are to pay N25, 000 cash for registration 07051327960. X9 MUST 11X. Good luck to you all

MONEY DOLLAR 08135637650= 9XX NAP 10XX WK 19 FREE NO 40. 41. 40. 41.

2X 5X 8X 31XX – for 3 draws. Meeting of Arsenal VS Sunderland on NO 1 – promotes 3 direct draws. All interested stakers are to pay to IBTC Alc no – 0001361916. mr. S.B Odesola, N8500 for the 3 Naps while the permutation is N6500. Good luck.

ues the free Gift on

HERITAGE NAP 08032428268 11 MUST 19

We are back again after our trip to United Kingdom to get first hand information about the on – going English Football season. The above pair must play with other draws pay N25, 000 and get the game for your enjoyment. We are set for winning spree

SIR MICHEAL NAP

08130011263 = 1 PAIR 49

Congratulation last week release got 10xx, 13xx, 15xx 3/3 the pair 35f, 36f making 3/5. Meanwhile another 3/3 and 4/5 this week cost N15, 000.00 call for acct no or mode of payment.

AKANDE NAP

08025572554 Pair 30xx 40xx

As the Xmas is fast approaching we are also trying our efforts to make all clients happy and this is the most reason for our 3 draws release plan. This week and another 2 weeks time and we will all be happy as we did years before now. Our 3 draws will be sent to our registered and the interesting clients as from this Thursday you can reach us by sending to our account KEYSTONE BANK PLC ACCOUNT N0:6017037192 IN THE NAME OF AKANDE ASHATOKUN BOLA MUSTAPHA for only N1000 cash and you can call to access the registration fees

WK 19 TWO BANKETS N4000. 4 BANKERS COST N6, 000 Two bankers= N4, 000 wk 19 No NAP NAP PAIR NAP NAP Two bankers= N4, 000 wk 20 No NAP NAP PAIR NAP NAP 4 Special draws N6, 000 wk 19 No NAP NAP NAP NAP= 40.41 4 Special N6, 000 wk 20 No NAP NAP NAP with NAP NAP Stakers try to get money Dollar 4 special draws this wk 19 Costs N6, 000 two special draws this wk 19 cost N4, 000 two special draws this wk 19 cost N4, 000. Key every WK 19 BANK NO 39.40. TO DRAW PLUS 3 OTHERS N6, 000 two bankers cost N3, 000. WK 19 BANKERS COST N6, 000 TWO. BANKERS COST N4, 000. Send MTN card to 08135637650. The game will send to your text message= 08135637650

SINBAD NAP

IKECHUKWU MAGNANIMOUS NAP

FREE WIN FOR WEEK 19 10 OR 20, 31 OR 34, 11 OR 21. Welcoming you to 3 weeks operation with guaranteed in weeks 20 and 21 cost N20,000 each week. Goodluck to you as you call for more winning details

PROMOTERS PROBLEM – 08168157259 = 16 SURE 22

ALTRICHAM MUST BOREHAM W. Week 19 2013 – 09x 26x 45xxx – 11drs – 15x Week 19 2014 – 06x 23x 40xxx – 10drs – 14x Week 19 2015 – x x x – 12drs – 16x Preston/Blackburn/Doncaster/Roachdale PBDR = Winning scheduled is on song to put another winning flavor to your finance. Ikechukwu Winning Progressive Movement is your winning Contact – WELCOME Fee – N25,000 = price reduced to prepare you for our (a week to cup – Cup and a week after cup) Naps cost N100,000 = Goodluck

07083993858 - 28 MUST 12

OH Yes! Our free 3 games for 2 last week was a huge success on 10X25F26X to all our callers our direct 3 draws this week is guaranteed. Call for details. Goodluck.

SUCCESS FOR ALL – 07088694992

WEEK 19 STATUS LKO – 03 SUNDAY – 07 and 11.

pragmatism

- 07036539499/07059758040

international

- invitation for club membership

MEMBERSHIP FEE — N1 MILLION. WEEKLY 3 DRAWS COST-N70, 000 WEEK 19 - FREE CASH NAP 10 - 17 - 18 PERM WITH - 20 - 30 - 40. Read Pools TELGRAPH FOR MORE DETAILS. GOODLUCK

SOLOMON RESORT (RESCUE TEAM) 09091111800 - On 4 weeks CUP to CUP NAPS WK - 18 - 10X 15X 26XXXX= 04X - 24. WK - 19 - X X X = 22 - 30. WK - 20 - X X X = 27 - 28 N50, 000 Rescue Fee - Congrats.

faithful intervention. god bless you sir. james abuja WK 19. F. A. CUP 1. WK 20. A WK. AFTER. CUP

CRONDON.K TWO BANKER WK19=N3, 000

KINGSTON

TWO BANKER WK19=N3, 000

red red

WK 20

WK 20. CUP

18 NAP

YEOEIL

TWO BANKER WK19=N3, 000

WK 20

NAP NAP

SEND MTN CARD TO 08103222635

NAP NAP

PETER NAP 08076546261 CONGRATULATION The evergreen current red system that has not fail will get it again this Red week. It got 11xx, 12xx, 21xx 3/3 in week 15, and it set to get it again this week 19 cost just N25, 000.00 pay to saving acct no:- 3023114822 First Bank in person of Mr Onaolapo Peter A. And call on 0807654 6261. Pair of the week 36 or 37. Real winning do not Miss it. G o o d l u c k 3. wks. wk19. wk 20. wk 21

OLDHAM TWO BANKER

WK19=N3, 000

RED RED

WK 20 PURPLE

NAP X NAP X

O.P.R

TWO BANKER WK19=N3, 000

RED RED

YORK

TWO BANKER WK19=N3, 000

RED RED

WK 20 PURPLE

NAP X NAP X

SEND MTN CARD TO 08162705220

BIG BROSS 07053681965 NOW WITH BURY ON WK NUMBER AT HOME BANK 40 OR 44 YES! The much awaited Bury on wk number (Last Colour) key for both my registered/customers is perfectly set again. Check wk 21 (8/12/12)= 14, 36 (2BKS) 25x 30 pair= 4/4. Wk 36 (22/3/14)= 23x 38 (2BKS) 33x 42 pair= 3/4. Wk 38 (5/4/14)= 25, 40 (2BKS) 21x 37 pair= 3/4. This wk 19, 40 or 44 must draw with two fixed bankers= N10, 000 to promote another 2BKS and a pair the following wk. G o o d l u c k

DONT MISS THIS CHANCE 3. wks. wk19. wk 20. wk 21

torquay TWO BANKER

WK19=N3, 000

nap nap

WK 20 PURPLE

NAP X NAP X

O.P.R

TWO BANKER WK19=N3, 000

nap nap

WK 20 PURPLE

NAP X NAP X

YORK

TWO BANKER WK19=N3, 000

nap nap

WK 20 PURPLE

NAP X NAP X

SEND MTN CARD TO 09038460009 PROFF INNOVATION – 07069009601

CURRENT CHAMPION – 22 SURE 44 BOREHAM W – IN 3 WEEKS WINNING PROJECT IN WEEK 18, 19 and 20. Week 18 – 10x 15x 23xxx – BOREHAM. X 22X Week 19 – X X X - BOREHAM. W= 44x 22 Week 20 – X X X - BOREHAM. W= 46x 22. 2015/2016. 3 weeks standing and processed Naps. Scheduled on football conference League team. (BOREHAM W.) Again your winning barrier is broken provided you are a fresh client from the on-going 3 week winning project. – N30, 000= Goodluck

AKIN MR AKIN 07067202291 (34 SURE 44)

Am back with my associates to winning track, Experience SURE WIN. CARLISLE and ALTRINCHAM On the same digits – controls 3 undisputed fixed matches. Only for matured men with long staking experience. Join the winners forum. N25, 000

PROFESSOR ONE BANKERS = 08055230300= 10XX 11XXX

PROFESSOR 3 BANKERS N7500 WK 17 CUP 1= 2015 NO 10X 12X 19X PAIR 11X 21X PROFESSOR 3 BANKERDS N7500 WK 18 CUP 1= 2015 13X 21X 26X PROFESSOR 3 BANKERDS N7500 WK 19 NO NAP NAP NAP= 3/3 PROFESSOR 3 BANKERDS N7500 WK 20 NO NAP NAP NAP= 3/3 PROFESSOR 2 BANKERDS N5000 WK 17. 2015 NO 10X 19X PAIR 11X 12X WK 18 NO 21X 26X PAIR 4X 5F PROFESSOR 2 BANKERDS N5000 WK 19 NO CUP CUP PAIR =ONE BANKER N2500 WK 17 NO 11X WK 18 NO 13X WK 19 CUP WK 20 NO NAP WK 21 NO NAP. Professor F.A. Cup English system booklet out cost N30, 000 membership group a. cost N100, 000. Send Card to 08055230300. The game will send to you by text message.

CHIEF ALAKE IS BACK – 07039433141

To enrich stakers in preparatory to our 3 weeks nap = week 20 – free – 38x 39x 40x while weeks 21 and 22 cost – N50,000 – 1 million. Call – 07039433141/07058826169 for details. Good luck EVERTON= 08162705220= 7XXX 8XX 8XXX

WK 19. 2012 KEY. NO 7X 22X 23X PAIR 24X 26 WK 19. 2013 KEY. NO 8X 10X 11X PAIR 14X 16X WK 19. 2014 KEY NO 8X 11X 15X PAIR 18X 19X WK 19. 2015 KEY NO 8. NAP NAP PAIR NAP NAP KEY EVERY WK 19 RED NO 8X TO DRAW WK 19. NO 8. 8. PLUS TWO COST N5000 WK 19= 2014 NO 8X 11X 15X PAIR 18X 19X WK 19. 2015 NO KEY 8 X X PAIR X X. SEND MTN 08162705220. WK 18. A WK AFTER. CUP NO CUP CUP CUP WITH 25. 26. WK 19 NO NAP NAP NAP WITH NAP NAP SEND MTN CARD= 08162705220

STAKERS DELIGHT nIGERIAN TRIBUNE POOLS PAGE. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH text message OF write up without advert is regarded VOID . PLACE YOUR ADVERT FOR EFFECTIVE PUBLICATION OF YOUR FORECAST. THANKS POOLS EDITOR

45 tribunepools

MADAM HILLARY-08163902330 16 MUST 31

The above pair is a must and the 3 fixed Naps for this week. We decided to break our silence due to the information we received from our Experts. Your winning is sure with N15, 000= recovery week= welcome

3. SYNDICATE= 08139714848= 29XXX 30XXX

3 Special draws N6, 000 Wk 18 No 21x 22x 23x 3 Special draws N6, 000 Wk 19 No CHAIN CHAIN CHAIN WITH CHAIN 3 Special draws N6, 000 Wk 20 No NAP NAP NAP with NAP NAP NAP 3 Special draws N3, 000 Wk 21 No NAP NAP PAIR CHAIN CHAIN CHAIN 3 Special draws N3, 000 Wk 22 NAP NAP NAP WITH CHAIN CHAIN CHAIN 3 Special draws N3, 000 Wk 23 NO NAP NAP NAP WITH CHAIN CHAIN CHAIN Time to win this week 19 special draws cost N6, 000= Wk 18 NO. 21x 22x 23x with 13x 15f 15x Wk 19 No NAP NAP NAP= 3/3 WITH CHAIN. CHAIN. CHAIN. Send MTN card 08055230300

PRAGMATISM– 07036539499/ 07059758040

10 – 17 – 18xxx – PERM = 20 – 30 – 40 Congratulations the above winning games is an international invitation for club membership in which you are One – starting of our season 3 Naps – 3 draws cost N70, 000 = each week and the membership fee remains N1million. Read Pools Telegraph for more details. Call for your winning directives. Good luck

DAZZLING NAP –

08069759520 07 MUST 11

Congratulations our long awaiting winning clue is set again on Tottenham and Burnley as Sunday matches. Your winning must dazzled promoters. N10, 000 – Good luck

AKIN MR AKIN

07067202291 34 SURE 44

WOMEN COMPLIERS FORUM, Congrats

07062839085 Bet 47, 48. Wk 18 = 4x, 15x, 21x Our special release continues in week 19, cost N10,000 cash for all interested stakers. Wk 18 Release = 4x, 15x, 21x. Pay at UBA a/c Mrs. Omoyemi Ibrahim, acct no: 2027165320. Call 07062839085, 08052503889

SAM AYO – 08109152433. 19XX 20.

Bury on coventry is a must this week and other 3 naps call sam for your sure winning details. Oloyode, so super, has no equal 08103244128 pair 23,24 wk18 = 10x, 15x, 23x. Pair 21x, 22x. please check my records weekly. Week 19 super Nap with the key cost only N30,000 cash. Pay at GTB, to Mr. Oloyode Ibrahim Olamide alc No. 0154084537. Call 08103244128, 08144047577.

46XX 16 SIR – BRAKA 08078052128

Never mind the shock draws of last week we are set to put smile on your faces call for our 3 Napable Draws with N1000 GLO Card you must win on pools

MAC – ANTHONY RETURN TO BLESS CLIENTS WK 19 PAIR 30XX48XX

08069048857 try get my winning Nap this wk19. RED = 3/3 wk 20 puple = 3/3 and wk21 brown cup second round @ N10,000 wkly no reduction please. U.B.A – 2029382770 ENGR, Micheal Akam. a trial will make you a winner. God Bless you.

26 NAP 27 THE – LILIES 08086944309

Winning on pools is wonderful loosing is so sure stop loosing from now call for our 3 unfailing jackpot draw and win well on pools we are set to help you on pools 26 XBK 27 ATTENTION ALL COMPILERS, OUR POLICY ON NO ADVERT NO WRITE UP STILL IN PLACE — MANAGEMENT

PLEIAD DE MAXWELL – 09099968585

DONCASTER MUST WIMBLEDON = 22 X 31 Premiership the unpredictable division where Elephant falls before dogs. In fact that is the beauty of the game. Let’s pray for Chelsea at Stamford bridge this weekend with Norwich that occupied number 15th on the table with Chelsea on 16th position. Draws is likely between Tottenham and West ham UTD, if Westbrom allowed Arsenal to show their known tip tap they may registered a loss but they play a bit physical football draw is likely, sky bet league two Wimbledon to Carlisle are your draw region expect two to 3 draws in the English Conference League this week. For sure win contact Pleiad De Maxwell draws clinic where draws were discharged after surgery. TOKEN MANAGER. Welcome

FAITHFUL – INTERNATIONAL – 07082899957

Week 19 – INTERVENTION NAP = 16 XX 40 Play/ stake as if you’ve never loss before. Now invest wisely on our MUST Naps – to 2nd F.A Cup tagged – WINNERS WORLD. Week 18 Highlights on – 21, 22, 23, 24. For 3draws as it was in wk 18 = 2013 0nly Experts with outstanding winning information excelled on the usual 9drs. Played in Week 18 2013 and 2015. Check your Records for confirmation. Our SPECIAL WEEK 19 NAPS is scheduled on ‘N vs. N’ on No 40. OH! Your winning is crystal; clear again this week. You only need ‘FAITH’ with you. Congratulations again – N50, 000 =

Thursday, November 19 - 25, 2015 MODUPE (08033566694) 7- 27- 44. 2drs Call for super winning now.

DR B4 DR – 08062748396 (21 - 22)

STAKERS PARLIAMENT= 4X 22X 23X 26XXX C vs B on No. 26 in week 6 BLUE B vs C on No. 26 in week 18 BLUE BLUE coloured affair. DR B4 DR. WEEK 19 SPECIAL NAP is on cuttings of Numbers – 8, 18, 30, 42 Reference to week 14 and week 19CURRENT WINNING EXPOSURE. Week 14 – X X X - 17/18 Week 19 – X X X - 21/22 2 dates of play is scheduled for a least draw. Our current Experts made our recent winnings possible N50, 000. Winning made easy programme. Join the winners.

STAKEHOLDER LAUD NAZAR MASTER

WISDOM – NAP 07088103080

SOLOMON RESORT (RESCUE TEAM)

EMIRATES FLY – 08087104491 (16 O.K 06)

The leading Pools company in Oyo State and environs, NAZAR Master Pools Company Limited, Ibadan has continued to receive commendation from stakeholders in the pools industry for its business model which has ensured that winnings are paid as and when due. The pools company made this known in a statement made available to TRIBUNE POOLS during the week. According to NAZAR Master, “we are encouraged by the commendation we have been receiving from stakeholders in the pools industry. We have no choice than to continue to maintain the standard we have set and we shall continue to pay big dividend on our Treble Chance odd, while winnings on Fixed odd shall never be delayed for a second” (MILKY PROMOTER).

09091111800 = 30 X 22 Week 17 – 2013 & 2015 -02 x 11 x ABROATH = 38 x 21x Week 18 – 2013c & 2015 – 21x 23x CRAWLEY = 13xxx Week 19 – 20123 & 2015 – X X X = 22 x 30 Week 19 – 20123 & 2015 – X X X = 22 x 30 Week 20 – 20123 & 2015 – X X X = 27 x 28 Events make History wise Solomon 4 weeks CUP TO CUP Nap with reference to weeks 17 – 20. In 2013 and 2015, Bi- annual N (2/2yrs) NAPS. Week 17 – Abroath East fife Week 18 – York – Plymouth Week 19 – Bolton away 17 Week 20 – Tottenham on West ham – Nos. 9 & 10 The above statement is the assurance winning Key to our 4 weeks WIN. In God we trust – N50, 000 = for NEW Clients ONLY. Read our previous adverts for more details.

ZENITH NEW DREAM – 08146879314. (11 MUST 16).

Congratulations our pronounced 3 weeks Annual provisional Naps stated well on S vs S No. 10= 15x 22x 26xxx 10x. Week 19 – B vs B on No. 11= PAIR= BLACKBURN Week 20 – B vs B on No. 12= PAIR= PETERBORO It is no longer new telling the staking public that our week 18 Nap was successful when its now talk of the town. All thanks to God for the fulfilled promised to take you to greater Heights. (Zenith of wealth). Weeks 19 and 20 Naps is free to all winning desired stakers. =N40, 000= now. Congrats.

MADAM DE MADAM = 08023329191

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH = 16XPRESTON16X CONGRATULATION PRESTON MUST BLACK BURN With our new office as the madams world class pools Experts a fortnight ago in England by their mayor. Salt has a great value in soup but it doesn’t make noise. PRESTON MUST BLACKBURN OH Yes! Panel or no Panel draw is draw Hint-Expect full odd (payment) this week., In week 7 on No11. Blackburn played goalless draw with Bolton of 11draws. In week 16 on No 18. Preston played another goalless draw with Bolton of 9 draws. Now, in week 19 – on No.16 Preston is scheduled to play draw with Bolton and other 3 fixed draws. In fact we are not used to stories. Call on media manager Mr. Joshua for your week 19 sure win details now – N50, 000

Triple smaches them with

4xx – 8ff – 46xx – 23xx – 45ff (08035324990) gives 48/49

They had a narrow escape with 4xx – 8ff – 46xx, but they paid with 23xx/45 which was gives in our advert last week on 3/5 in a week of a draws! Yes, we told you to join the winning train now. The cost this week is only N15, 000.00 payable into our account on demand. The release is at 12.05 noon on Friday. Call 08035324990 for payment. Good luck.

INNOCENT NAP 08095602590 33 NAP 34

4 Special draws wk 18 cost N6, 000 Wk 18 No 15x 23x 26x with. 4x 5f wk 19 No NAP NAP NAP NAP N6, 00 WK 20 NO NAP NAP NAP NAP WITH NAP NAP. 2 Special draws wk 19 N4, 000 Wk 18 No 15x 23x PAIR 21x 26x NAP. ONE BANKER N2000 WK 18 NO 4X 19 NO NAP WK 20 NO NAP WK 21 Time for winners try to get INNOCENT NAP 4 Special draws this week 19 RED N6, 000 cash, 2 special draws cost N4, 000 and 1 banker for N2, 000. One banker, wk 18 No 4x Wk 19 No X Wk 20 No X. you can send MTN card to 08095602590 for your booking.

MAGIC EXPERT BONANZA 7XX 22XX

WK18 NAP DREW ON 10X 22X 26X = 3/3 PAIR 14f 15x = 4/5(xx7xx FACE xx 22xx) Call 08160742266 for wk19. Congratulation to many who received my sms and responded by purchasing the game. The winning is ongoing, buy a week Nap and get a week free bonanaza and win to xmas cost N15,000 cash if you did not participate last week. Please call 08160742266 for payment details / enquiries.

4 MEMBERS. 4 BANKERS= 08162705220. 1XX 8XX

4 BANKERS N5000 WK 19= 2012 NO 11 OR ——— 05 2X 9X 22X 34X 4 BANKERS N5000 WK 19= 2013 NO ———— NO. 5X 10X 11X 37X 4 BANKERS N5000 WK 20= 2014 NO 8X 15X 18X 19X 4 BANKERS N5000 WK 21= 2015 NOWISH NO NAP NAP NAP Stakers try to get 4 members 4 . KEY EVERY WK 19 NIGER NO NORWICH NO 07 TO DRAW Pplus 4 others cost N5000 wk 19 NO 1.1 Cup Cup Cup Cup with 3, 9 wk 18 Blue No NAP NAP NAP NAP with 11. 12 wk 19 RED No Cup Cup Cup Cup with NAP NAP SEND M.T.N CARD 08162705220

WEEK 17 X RAY

With incredible 9 draws that beat many pools compilers imagination yet our pools Experts performed well. Oloyede top the week chat on 2 bankers while Adeoti one banker manager done it again. Sinbad fulfilled his promised on two from 3 free games. Our pair Experts did well on their unfailing pairs Dr B4 Dr, Midweek, Volvo, Everton, Alhaji Sadiku, Proff Innovations, Zenith, Code 505, Mallam Bawa Musa and Sunderland Naps. All our pools page compilers are tested ok. They promised good tidings to all their clients this week, therefore i enjoined you to embrace their winning statics.

EDITOR’S PLACE (31 x 34)

11 MUST 40 = WINNING TEAM B VS B must N vs. N. Get rescue from your weekly losses on our newly introduced winning sequence as directed by the PPA in England in fact the winning sequence was filtered to us through a renowned foreign expert. Get resorted in God we trust. N50, 000=Unregrettable fee.

PRESTON AGAIN HOME 16 Winning gazette will definitely take you to next level board emirate and fly to continent abode. Week 9 – 20x 31x 42xxx 06 x 16 = 11 draws Week 19 – x x x - 06 x 16 = 11 draws Fly with us to winning kingdom this week (A MUST WIN) =N20, 000 – Good luck

DOSA 08072216644 22 PAIR 32

Dosa will give you 3 nap draws and 1 hot pair this week 19 with only N5,000 MTN recharge card. I promise you hundred percent winning on pool betting this week 19 if you send to me. Happy Christmas to you all in advance.

Mr. A. GEORGE, 08036224198

WEEK 19=11,20,39,NAP,(7) The classified football pools draws directly from our compilers in London on sale for weeks 20,21,22 at N50,000 with (3) Nap draws each week. If you have what it takes , contact me in person or pay though the bank account number, 2028316301, Assam George(UBA) address No 160 Ring Road , Ibadan , Oyo state

Oloyode, so super, has no equal 08103244128

pair 23,24 wk18 = 10x, 15x, 23x. Pair 21x, 22x. please check my records weekly. Week 19 super Nap with the key cost only N30,000 cash. Pay at GTB, to Mr. Oloyode Ibrahim Olamide alc No. 0154084537. Call 08103244128, 08144047577.

07039433141= 07058826169 CHIEF ALAKE IS BACK

HEAD MASTER 08032747136 NAP – 2, 3, 17

This 3 draws is to prepare you for xmas and New year our release in weeks 20 and week 21 each week would cost N25, 000 cash, Did you remember our release in 2014 week 21 on Nos. 13, 19, 49) week 19, week 20, and week 21, Now another year for all staker who know more about Head Master

MAGIC KINGDOM –

08056753098 / 07085060512

NAP – 16x 17x 18xxx 36x 40x.

Last week was a bit rough/bad, never so no. Now we are avenge mission on the above games for sure win against our week 20 and 21 special Nap cost N25, 000 each week payable to Balogun Adesina Kamoru Account Number 0279550010. Wema Bank or GT Bank a/c no 0115505082.

VICTORIOUS – VICTOR = 08126994034 (31-34)

Burton A at away in week of playing winning formation is to get you victorious this week –N10, 000= for now. Good luck

Leke International 09091798611 Pair 10,23.

I have two weeks operation in wks 19 and 20 as key to my 3 sure naps draws in wk 21 FA cup 2nd round wks 19 and 20 cost N10,000 cash per wk while wk 21 cost N20,000 cash.Do not fail to get it. Call me now for more details.

PLACE YOUR

ADVERT HERE

To enrich stakers in preparatory to our 3 weeks naps= IN WEEKS 21 AND 22 week 20-free - free - free 38x 39x 40xxx while weeks 21 AND 22 COST — n50, 000 — 1 MILLION CALL— 07058826169/07039433141

CONGRATULATIONS lEAGUE TABLE HOPE 2015 08166222529

TWO BANKERS = N3,000

wk 18

wk 19

13x 22x

NAP NAP

TWO BANKERS = N2,000

wk 18

26x 26x

wk 19

NAP NAP

WITH CONFIDENCE 08166222529

wk 18

WK 19

TWO BANKERS = N5,000

23X 26X

WK 18

NAP NAP

WK 19

TWO BANKERS = N5,000

TWO BANKERS = N2,500

10X 10X

TWO BANKERS = N2,500

NAP NAP

4 SPECIAL DRAWS THIS WK 18 NO 13X 22X 23X 26X COST N25, 000

NJOROGE MR. ASSURANCE – 08177474535 16 MUST 22

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46 news Man slaughters 4 of his children Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna

blood thirsty 53-year-old man, Mallam Saleh Magaji, went berserk, slaughtering four of his children who were believed to be between the age of two and eight years. The Nigerian Tribune gathered that three of the deceased children were males and one female. The incident occurred in Kawo new extension area of Kaduna metropolis at about 4 00.pm, on Wednesday. The Nigerian Tribune also learnt that the killer father, also attempted to kill himself by trying to slit hisown throat. When the Nigerian Tribune visited the emergency ward of Saint Gerald Catholic Hospital, Kaduna, Magaji, was in his own pool of blood with a deep cut in his throat. At the time of filing this report, the bodies of the four children were deposited at the hospital’s mortuary and this was confirmed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the hospital, Mr Sunday Ali. This was even as the blood-thirsty father was trying to speak to nurses and doctors on duty about the whereabouts of his children. However, his wife was said to have escaped from being slaughtered and reported the incident to the police. When contacted, the Kaduna State police spokesman, DSP Abubakar Zubairu, confirmed the incident. DSP Zubairu said, “The

wife came to report to us and when police got to the house, they met the house locked, but the police

called on the Mai Ungwan of the area to witness as the police forced the door open.

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

“When they opened the door, they saw the four bodies of the children and the police also discov-

Concept of zoning, federal character, prime enemies of Nigeria —Guru By Remi Anifowose

Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi (left), exchanging pleasantries with the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, during a visit to the Government House, Ibadan, on Wednesday.

Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (right), presenting the state plaque to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Arase, during a visit to the governor, in Abeokuta, on Wednesday.

Multiple accidents claim 12 in Ogun From Olayinka Olukoya And Olalekan Olabulo NO fewer than 12 people were between Tuesday night and early Wednesday , killed and several others injured in two different accidents that involved multiple vehicles at the old Sango Toll gate between Lagos and Ogun states . Residents of the communities around the toll gate were yet to recover from the shock of the Tuesday night accident , when another accident was early Wednesday recorded at the same spot , where the Tuesday night accident occurred . The Tuesday night accident said to have occurred as a result of brake failure from a Sinotruc truck with the code 564 EUN 002 , which was said to be on a high speed, when the accident occurred .

ered that the man scrolled something against the wall within the room, alleging that his wife had tried to poison him and since she could not succeed, he decided to kill all members of the family, including himself, so that all of them can go to heaven”. Meanwhile, the police spokesman said that the police command had commenced investigation into the matter.

The situation became tensed as commercial bus operators and area boys went on the rampage and vandalised all articulated vehicles in the area. The two accidents created traffic gridlock as the vehicles , which were involved in the accident blocked the entire stretch of the expressway , before they were evacuated . The Nigerian Tribune

gathered that the late Tuesday night accident occurred, when a truck loaded with cement rammed into a long queue of vehicles, directly in front of the Oando filling station at the Toll Gate. No fewer than 10 vehicles , including :six commercial buses with passengers , pick up vans and a private saloon car were crushed by the truck .

About nine people were said to have been killed and a few others injured with bodies of the victims displayed on the side of the road. Officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), who arrived at the scene to rescue some of the victims, were chased away by angry commercial bus operators and hoodlums.

The Living Perfect Master and leader of One Love Family, Satguru Maharajji, has described the concept of zoning and federal character as ‘’prime enemies of Nigeria’s destined progress,’’ just as he called on President Muhammadu Buhari to pull the Nigerian economy off the grip of the so called oil marketers, who he described as ‘’killer cartels.’’ Maharaj-ji made the submission in the anniversary speech he delivered at a press conference organised to celebrate the Golden Age Festival (GOLDFEAST 2015 edition) , at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, on Wednesday. The leader of One Love Family, who said zoning of public offices was a political practice which robbed the country of the ability to build the right political capital, noted that every man must qualify for any position of leadership he sought to occupy. While identifying the absence of a nationalist vision and drive as the bane of economic advancement in Nigeria, Maharaj-ji called for a thorough overhaul of the operating system of the oil industry to salvage the sector from corruption.

CP parades 3 over murder of undergraduate in Imo J oe Nwachukwu-Owerri The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Taiwo Lakanu, has warned landlords to be mindful of those they engaged to guard their homes. He gave the warning while parading three suspects that allegedly murdered a final year student of civil engineering of the Federal Polytechnic,

Nekede, on Wednesday. According to him, the deceased, Innocent Ndukwe, was found in a pool of his blood in a toilet at his residence, No 18, Enuwa Street, Egbu, Owerri North Local Government Area, of the state. The alleged suspects, he said are David Kwaguru, a native of Sirwo, Lantan North Local Government Area, Plateau State; Friday

Ayuba, a native of Keyelda, Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State and Francis Amos, Pinallin in Lantan South Local Government Area, Plateau State. According to the commissioner, on November 17, 2015, the police control room quickly alerted operatives of the command, who immediately cobwebbed the entire state, following a report of the

murder on the deceased The assailants after killing their victim, made away with his Pathfinder SUV with registration no KRD-109 – BP, two plasma TV sets and other personal affects. After gathering some of the personal belongings of their victim, the police boss said the suspects, while planning to escape, were apprehended along West-end old Nekede Road, Owerri.

Ogun promises to assist health care professionals OGUN State government has promised to give maximum support to nurses and other health care professionals in the state for optimum health care service delivery in the state. The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Babatunde Ipaye, who made the promise during the quarterly meeting of Directors of Nursing Services (DNS) in the South West, at the Governor’s Office, Abeokuta, said nursing profession was very key to the development of health sector in Nigeria. Ipaye asked the nurses and other health professionals to always see their job as service to humanity, adding that it plays a major and important role in nation building. The commissioner assured them that the state government was working to provide solutions to some of the challenges facing health professionals, including their welfare packages.

NGO to honour Ambode, Amosun, Tinubu, others By Yejide Gbenga Ogundare

The national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, the governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, his Ogun State counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Honourable Desmond Eliot, are some of the people penciled down for the 2015 Life Changers award. The award is to be given by a United States- based Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Life Changers Foundation, in recognition of their contribution towards providing care for the common man without blowing their trumpets and to encourage other people to join hands in helping the needy in the society. The foundation, which has contributed its quota to the needy around the world, decided to honour individuals and organisations that share its vision with the award which will for the first time, hold outside the shores of the United Kingdom.

CHIEF (MRS) H.I.D. AWOLOWO (1915-2015)

Thursday, 19 November, 2015

SERVICE OF SONGS FOR HID AWOLOWO IN IKENNE

PHOTOS: TOMMY ADEGBITE ALABA IGBAROOLA & Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;TOYIN

1. From left,Mrs Yemisi Subair, Mrs Ayotola Ayodeji, Mrs Bola Awolowo, Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, Rev (Mrs) Tola Oyediran, Mrs Yejide Badmus, Funke Awolowo and Yewande Amusan. 2. Vicar, Our Saviour Church, Ven.S.O. Enike, Diocesan Bishop of Remo, Rt Rev. Micheal Olusina Fape, Ven E.A. Adegbuyi, Ven. Foluso O. Babatunji, Ven Remi Onajole, Ven Tolu Akinwande and Rev Canon R.A. Akinola. 3. Remo Diocesan Choir. 4. Mrs Bola Awolowo, Ambassador Awolowo Dosumu, Rev (Mrs) Tola Oyediran, Mrs

Yejide Badmus, Funke Awolowo . 5. From left, Alhaji Tunde Badmus, Mrs Yemisi Subair, Mrs Kemi Aderemi and Mrs Bola Awolowo. 6. Mrs Oluremi Pedro, Iyanuoluwa Obafemi Anifowose and his mother, Mrs Wemimo Anifowose. 7. A cross section of women organisations. 8. Wives of clergymen.